Sometimes Julie, a duo out of San Diego with Monica Sorenson and Rick Walker, has become known for their real and interesting indie music. Their newest thing, a six-song EP called “Transition”, dropped on December 30th. It really shows what they’re all about. Sorenson’s strong voice and piano mix with Walker’s guitar and synth, but the whole thing feels like a band effort. The new EP has some fresh faces in Sometimes Julie: Darko Petrovic on bass and Guilherme Cunha shredding lead guitar. Plus, Andy Machin, Dave Fuller, and Clair Allison & Yvonne Fuller are back with their vocals. Together, they’ve made something that feels personal but also huge. It’s all about change, roughness, and catchy tunes. Let me tell you why you should give it a listen.

The EP begins with “Carry Her”. The song opens with a clear, powerful yet slow acoustic guitar and piano melody that instantly gives the impression that a journey has begun. Before the electric guitars swell to add weight, the song has a traditional folk-rock beginning that is clean and welcoming. Lyrically, this song explores the difficult, frequently unseen work of providing emotional support rather than merely being about helping a friend. The protagonist recognizes that the person they love is trapped in a cycle of self-sabotage or grief, and the verses convey a sense of recursive struggle. The “saviour complex” and its ultimate cost are central to the theme, which raises the question of where loyalty ends, and self-destruction begins. It doesn’t romanticize being a carer; it just shows how certain people will always need our help. The song reinforces the idea of “carrying” someone over a long distance by musically leaning into a mid-tempo groove that resembles the steady, rhythmic pace of walking. It’s a very relatable anthem for anyone who has been the “strong one,” giving the listener a sense of approval for that silent weariness. This powerful and profound song opens the EP.

The title track, “Transition,” changes the mood with an intro that is a little brooding and more atmospheric. The theme of being torn between two versions of oneself is mirrored in the opening melodic phrase. The lyrics delve into the messy “middle” part of that process, the uncomfortable shedding of skin, while the title alludes to change and how we are the only ones who have answers to the questions in our lives. It illustrates the cognitive dissonance that arises when you realize you’ve changed but are still unable to identify the person you see in the mirror. The musicality here is more layered, using dynamic shifts between stripped-back verses and a more urgent, soaring chorus to represent the internal friction of growth. The impact on the listener is one of shared vulnerability; it captures that universal human fear of the unknown and the eventual, hard-won peace that comes with acceptance.

“Before” is the next song. This song opens with a moving, simple piano arrangement that places the vocal front and center and instantly establishes intimacy. “Before” offers a look back at innocence and the “what ifs” and how life was before everything. The lyrics explore the theme of temporal nostalgia, the yearning for a bygone era, by contrasting the heaviness of the present with a lighter past through particular, sensory imagery. It’s the EP’s most delicate musical moment, with gentle swells and a heartbeat-like tempo. It touches the listener in that tender spot of the “glory days,” but it does so without being unduly sentimental, providing a mature, grounded analysis of how our past experiences have shaped our present boundaries.

The next song on the list is called  “I Dreamed of You”. Beginning with a ghostly, ethereal tune, the song sets a dream-like, almost surrealist mood indelibly. The words go further than a mere love song to delve into the theme of “soul recognition” or maybe becoming someone who satisfies one’s inner psychological craving. The song speaks about the connecting link between the subconscious and the world of senses, figuring out how our inner cravings take shape in the people we come across. It is really a time when you feel like getting lost in the music: the musicality is very rich, and the use of reverb and sustain helps to create a dreamy sonic “fog.” The whole song is so intense, with a piano melody and vocal performance that was outstanding. This is the kind of song that will make the listener feel that he or she is almost taking a trip: you have a momentary feeling of escapism when you get out of the real world, and you enter the realm of desire and beauty, and this is a very nice relief of hope in the context of the whole EP.

Number five is “Shooting Star”. The energy in this song is breathtakingly beautiful. This is another track on the EP that features a prominent piano-based performance. The song uses a star as a way to talk about how beautiful, but also how fleeting and intense, some relationships or moments in the spotlight can be. It talks about burning out and the fall that happens after being on top. The song suggests some things are meant to be bright and short, instead of long and boring. People listening to it will probably feel really mesmerized. It’s yet another best part of the EP, giving listeners a break with its emotive melody and vocals that keep up with the song’s glacial pace.

We’re wrapping up the EP with a track called “Finally The Rain.” It starts with this vibe of everything calming down – like that fresh smell after it rains. The lyrics bring the whole EP together, looking at the rain as something that cleanses you. In this song, the character uses the metaphor of finally the rain to signify a return to a place after a very long time. The music goes from soft and thoughtful at the start to a big, movie-like ending, which feels like letting go of all those feelings. Listening to this song can bring a sense of completion. It seems to say that even though changing can be hard and hurt sometimes, there’s a calm and peaceful feeling waiting for you when you get through it.

In “Transition”, Sorenson really opens up in her songwriting, sharing a deeply personal look at life. She explores love, loss, and trying to be real, pouring everything into her lyrics because she wants to connect with people. It’s not often you find someone so willing to be so honest, and that’s what makes this EP so appealing. The band’s performance resonates on a level that feels less like listening and more like a spiritual experience; they truly spoke to my heart and soul in a way that leaves me forever changed. This EP is undeniable proof that this group of musicians is an unstoppable force, blending raw talent with a profound emotional depth. After experiencing the magic of “Transition”, my only wish is to hear more from these incredible artists as they continue to redefine their sound.

Stream the “Transition” EP on Spotify.

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