Indie-pop artist Sophie Payton, known personally as Gordi, has talent that is nothing short of stellar and honest. An artist is only as good as their last project, and Gordi is here to reclaim sound and truth with her upcoming third solo album, Like Plasticine. Dropping May 30th, the new project is true to be packed with cinematic sound and a whirlwind of emotions as it chronicles major milestones in Payton's recent years. From coming out to working in the medical field as the pandemic hit, Payton is bearing it all. After the release of "Alien Cowboy," Gordi is back with a single quite personal to her.
"Peripheral Lover" is unlike any pop queer track before. Full of vibrant colors and killer production that feels straight out of the early 2010s, Gordi beckons listeners to live out loud and throw caution to the wind. Never settle for any less than the best is much of the theme for the track. Using synths over obsessive lyrics, mixed by Rich Costey (HAIM, Death Cab for Cutie), the track is celebratory in the quest for free love.
In preparation for the release of "Peripheral Lover," Gordi spoke about the song's birth.
“I was thinking about the beginnings of queer relationships,” Gordi continues, “I’m talking real early, like so early that at least one person is still in the closet. Accepting the available love instead of it orbiting around you. There comes a breaking point, a demand, a pleading for honesty – and the relationship either explodes into the open, or melts from the periphery away into nothing. From these thoughts, “Peripheral Lover” was born. It exploded into being in about 3 hours.”
In addition to the new track, Sophie Payton announced the release of an exciting music video to accompany the song. The rollout of the new album is as thrilling as the two releases. Like Plasticine, it is sure to be a deeper look into Payton's psyche on a wanderlust level. Emotionally as charged as her music, Gordi's next release is a journey into love and self-care.
"Peripheral Lover" is out now on all available DSPs.
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Photo Credit: Bianca Edwards