Press
Here’s just some of the reviews that Sophie has received in the international press.
“Becalmed” featured along with other international artists in the 2010 Mojo top 5 underground releases.
“Stirring, vigourous, grandly melodic” – Mojo Magazine
“Frankly amazing . . the whole album holds you in a state of rapture that feels as if you’re about to burst into tears at any second at the sheer beauty of it, and I say that without condition. If there’s a higher praise than that, I can’t think of it. “ – db Magazine’s Patrick Lang
“Hutchings suggests a gentle but persistent exploration – its emotions controlled but not expunged, it’s emphasis on barely-notice-at-first momentum. And always, always, with this album a sense of genuine beauty. – Sydney Morning Herald Bernard Zeul it appears clear that Sophie’s music possess a narrative quality similar to that of music scored for film. Her solo compositions underline the quality of her key play, which whilst intimate in construction appear grand and vivid in execution.” - Fluid Radio
“A stunningly expressive performer, Hutchings is confident enough to take what others would consider risks and turn them into personal triumphs. A fully fledged Romantic narrative of heartfelt melodies and striking harmonies, possessing a fullness of sound rarely heard in solo works” -The Silent Ballet – David Murrieta
“This is the kind of music artists spend their whole lives trying to create: music with a depth and substance that appeals to a listener’s whole range of emotions. Hutchings has a preternatural ability in composing music that walks the thin line between sadness and joy, darkness and light, making Becalmed an engaging, emotional listen. Listen alone, share with another, but listen.” - Foxy Digitalis – Curran Faris
“..in the main it’s a restrained and contemplative work, with these tender, at times vulnerable runs of notes that seem to plug straight into the emotions. Regardless of the bluster that exists in your day to day life it’s impossible to put this album on and not be immediately soothed.” - Cyclic Defrost – Bob Baker Fish
” Her playing is so unabashedly sincere that it ceases to matter that it’s staunchly traditional and unwaveringly classical. A strong sense of narrative turns these conventionally aching songs into something special, with each containing its own measure of melancholy.” - Mess and Noise - Shaun Prescott
“..a rare emotive candour and breadth. It echoes with a loose, almost improvisational sensibility that resists simple definitions or outcomes.” - The Big Issue - Dan Rule
” Pensive and florid by turn, the piece wends its way through flowing passages both delicate and impassioned, slowing down here and speeding up there, until the impressionistic playing turns ever more dazzling when overdubbed clusters and rolling figures achieve maximum density—a bravura start to an album with many more pleasures up its sleeves.” – Textura Magazine
” A strong statement of song that holds emotion and fragility equal with elegance and continues to push one of the oldest forms of music to new ground as well as new hands.” - Time Off Jo Hill
Tower Records – Japan
