Artist Review: SoMo's Underrated Artistic Growth

At the first sound of his 2013 smash hit “Ride”, Texas native Joseph Somers-Morales, better known as SoMo, could be easily mistaken for another country-pop artist who achieved mainstream success by way of an infectious crossover hit. SoMo was in fact an R&B singer with heavy roots in jazz through his father. However, his style in his years under Republic Records seemed to fluctuate between explicit R&B lyrics to upbeat pop music. His explicit lyrics were almost a stark contrast to his seemingly innocent country boy with a heart of gold image—that he would later own with pride. It was in that that I really discovered his trademark was just that: the gritty, seductive country boy.

After leaving Republic Records and establishing his own label, I noticed a change. Perhaps it was the change of parenthood that sparked this transformation or simply something from within. His sexually-charged lyrics remain but they’ve become less “sex-obsessed” and more sex-positive. His lyrics have become less about having sex and having fun and more about vulnerability and honesty. That is not to suggest that his songs were never about this. It is to suggest that there is an emotional depth he has reached in his current state that didn’t show in his previous work. I initially thought this to be a result of a lack of focus or real identity, but this is where I was also wrong; this is SoMo’s identity. He effortlessly flirts with uncut R&B, guitar-tinged pop, and trap-flavored hip-hop soul. Sometimes he fuses the three.

SoMo has grown significantly since his split from Republic Records in 2017 and, in my humble opinion, it has turned him into one of R&B’s most versatile, unique, and underrated acts. His confidence in his sexuality and strength is more controlled and comfortable. This is an artist who has truly come into his own; a testament to the importance of artist ownership.

In the very opening of A Beautiful November—his first studio album under his independent label— “I’m Comin Home” seems to be a declaration of a return to his most honest self. He shows his softer side in “Roses”, where he tells the story of a love that stood the test of time that he felt like he was too immature to handle, being so young. The production in some of his previous hits like “First” undercut his vocals through unnecessary autotune. There seems to be almost none of that anymore. He’s traded many of his hard-hitting bangers for sultry ballads that are still explicit in their raw honesty but tell a story. A Beautiful November is an experimental and boundary-pushing R&B record.

With SoMo’s most recent studio effort, I Had Another Dream, he pushes himself further into the realm of storytelling. Consisting of singles released over a year and a half, starting with “Wild Heart” released on Valentine’s Day of 2019, this album, while not as sonically experimental as its predecessor, is a return to form that is not regressive. This album manages to remain consistent and experimental while not being monotonous.

The album seems to be a conceptual work, in which a complete story is told. The protagonist goes for a night on the town and spots an attractive woman. Over the course of the night the two converse, give in to their most carnal desires, and then the protagonist briefly pours himself out, giving the hint that their one-night stand may blossom into something deeper.

SoMo proves yet again that he is not trying to be anyone except for himself. I Had Another Dream is a sultry R&B/pop album that pushes the boundaries of genre. The album starts with “Sinkin’ Down”, his trademark trap-laced hip hop-soul, a strong start that sets the tone. The follow-up track “Mi Amor” is another testament to the artist’s versatility. The Latin-pop song is something that had yet to be heard from the artist yet it fits snugly into his canon of sounds that he so easily masters.

Both “Cinema” and “Proud”, two of the previously unreleased tracks, bring back memories of the early works of Canadian superstar The Weeknd, with their unabashed, carnal honesty and dark production. In the future, it would be nice to see SoMo explore these darker sounds, as they add a layer of depth. 

Growth should not be calculated by artist’s sales and chart success, but by their capacity and willingness for transformation. SoMo is arguably one of the most unapologetic and versatile R&B acts in the arena; proving so through his ability to handle baby-making R&B, light-hearted pop, and heavy trap. We can only hope SoMo continues to push the boundaries of the genre.