obee: SODA
Fighting the Noise: obee Bottles Defiance and Emotion on SODA
by Jack Rush
Vermont-born, Nashville-based artist obee steps forward with “DON’T STOP ME,” a standout house/dance-pop cut from his EP SODA—and it doesn’t waste time making its mission clear. Built on the tension between external pressure and internal doubt, the track dives headfirst into the experience of being gaslit, second-guessed, and ultimately held back by the loudest critic of all: yourself.
There’s a sharp relatability at the core. obee frames the song as both a personal release and a broader message, aimed at anyone facing resistance while chasing something meaningful. His own words underline the intent—it’s part encouragement, part provocation, and very much a refusal to fold under pressure. That duality carries through the music itself.
Described as a “banger that bleeds emotion,” “DON’T STOP ME” lives up to that contradiction. It’s high-energy and club-ready, yet threaded with vulnerability. The production leans into house, future funk, and electro influences, delivering a polished, infectious sound while allowing the emotional weight to cut through. It doesn’t just invite movement—it validates the struggle before pushing past it.
Zooming out, SODA presents a cohesive concept: each track acting as a different “flavor” of the modern human experience. Beneath its glossy, hyperpop-leaning surface, the EP wrestles with heavier themes—mental health, economic anxiety, digital overload—without ever losing its sense of momentum or accessibility.
Tracks like “CURRENCY” critique the endless chase of consumerism, while “PLACES” drifts into a more introspective space, examining how identity is shaped by constant external input. “BLOODRUSHBABY” ramps up the intensity, capturing the blur between natural highs and artificial stimulation, before “HIGHLIGHTS 2.0” closes the loop with a French house nod that balances nostalgia and self-awareness.
What elevates SODA beyond a typical electronic release is obee’s complete creative control. Writing, producing, mixing, mastering—and even shaping the visual identity—he operates as a true independent auteur. That autonomy gives the project a sense of cohesion and authenticity that’s hard to fake. Nothing feels outsourced or diluted.
The result is a record that works on multiple levels. On one hand, it’s a vibrant, high-octane dance project. On the other, it’s a reflective piece about navigating a hyperconnected, often overwhelming world. obee clearly understands that the most effective music doesn’t force you to choose between feeling and thinking—you can lose yourself in it, or dig deeper.
With SODA, and especially “DON’T STOP ME,” obee positions himself within Nashville’s growing electronic underground as more than just another club-focused act. He’s crafting something closer to a survival soundtrack for the digital age—one that acknowledges the noise, but refuses to be drowned out by it.
Have a listen and connect with obee:
