City Lights

Released in late 2023, City Lights serves as a concise distillation of softy's signature lo-fi hip-hop sound. Hailing from South Korea's vibrant beat-making scene, softy has carved out a niche for creating 'cocoon-like' music that prioritizes texture and atmosphere over complex composition. This EP follows a strict sonic palette: heavily filtered piano, side-chained percussion that creates a gentle 'breathing' effect, and pervasive tape hiss. While many lo-fi artists lean into pastoral or nostalgic themes, City Lights is firmly rooted in the urban experience, using titles and subtle field recordings to evoke the feeling of a city at rest. Despite its short runtime of under ten minutes, the project is highly effective as a functional tool for focus or relaxation, maintaining a consistent energy level that makes it ideal for looping. It represents the polished, 'hi-fi lo-fi' end of the genre spectrum, where the 'imperfections' are meticulously crafted for maximum comfort.