Sophie Auster - Milk For Ulcers (2025)

In a world awash with superficial emotions and fleeting moments, Sophie Auster emerges with her fourth studio album, Milk for Ulcers, out via The Orchard. The album’s title stems from a candid dinner table discussion about outdated remedies: “Although milk may momentarily relieve ulcer pain, it can make it worse. It’s like putting butter on a burn,” Auster reflects. This striking irony encapsulates the spirit of the album—a deep exploration of healing and the complexities of emotional wounds.

Milk for Ulcers delves into the raw and multifaceted feelings surrounding loss, capturing the defiance, rage, and grief woven into the fabric of sorrow. Yet amidst the darker themes, there’s a thread of hope and joy, particularly tied to Auster’s experience as a mother. The poignant closing track, “Blue Team,” dedicated to her father, Paul Auster, embodies this duality. In a burst of creative urgency, she finished the song with him in mind: “I am so glad he was able to hear it before he died.”

In a time dominated by AI-curated soundscapes and short attention spans, Auster’s artistry provides a breath of fresh air, crafting a sanctuary for listeners to confront their shared vulnerabilities. Her songs resonate deeply, weaving personal narratives of loss that are both intimate and universally relatable, standing in stark contrast to a media landscape that often cultivates isolation.

Raised in an artistically vibrant household, Auster was nurtured by a blend of literary and musical influences. She began singing at eight, releasing her debut album by sixteen, which caught the ear of Naive Records in France upon her eighteenth birthday, receiving acclaim across Europe. Her journey has led to collaborations with high-profile fashion houses such as Chanel, Dior, and Ferragamo, alongside a record deal with BMG for her album Next Time in 2019. That same year, her evocative single “Mexico” made waves as part of John Turturro’s film The Jesus Rolls.

With accolades including a grand prize at the John Lennon songwriting contest for her hauntingly beautiful track “Little Bird,” and the title of Singer of the Year from Cosmopolitan Spain, Auster has solidified her place in the music landscape. Milk for Ulcers promises to be another thoughtful chapter in her evolving narrative, a testament to the beauty that can emerge from life’s most challenging moments.

TRACKLIST

1. Sophie Auster - Flying Machine
2. Sophie Auster - Heartbreak Telephone
3. Sophie Auster - Look What You're Doing To Me
4. Sophie Auster - Let It Be Spring
5. Sophie Auster - Man Like You
6. Sophie Auster - Reason Why
7. Sophie Auster - They Get You All The Time
8. Sophie Auster - Don't Ask Me What I Do
9. Sophie Auster - Whole Life Dreaming
10. Sophie Auster - Blue Team