On “Soph My Dear,” Ebony Buckle delivers a touching and heart-felt reflection on loss, longing, and hope. The words entail one character, Soph, who might have emotionally or physically distanced herself, whereby the narrator can express a deep longing for her return. Buckle’s words are very simple but deeply evocative of a sense of longing and melancholy.

The repetition in “taste the sweet, it’s on your lips” and “smell the golden air” speaks to a beauty that, even at this moment, is surrounding Soph in the world. These lines are tender reminders of life’s sensory pleasures, urging Soph to reconnect with the world and maybe herself. The bursting image of the sun through her hair evokes a feeling of warmth and light, therefore symbolizing hope and maybe the return of joy.

The lyrics also concern the passing of time, as is heard in “two years is up today,” to drive home how the narrator’s pain and concern have been unrelenting. Still, there is emotional distance, but below the surface, an undertow of love and hope seems to well up in that tender wish for her to be “safe” and “dancing” behind her eyes.

Overall, the lyrics of “Soph My Dear” are a deeply well-structured story of love, loss, and the hope for healing. Buckle does such an amazing job of envisioning deep emotions with light, colorful imagery; this song just feels touching and relatable.