Written by: Archie McAlpine (September 26, 2024)

This morning, I found myself feeling a little emotional, as I listened for the first time to the posthumous album of one of my favourite artists, SOPHIE, who tragically passed away three years ago. While taking in the album, I noticed a flood of emotions coursing through me and I asked myself, "What exactly am I feeling right now, and why?" So I thought it be the perfect opportunity to nerd out over some neuroscience, and analyse what was actually going on in my brain during this experience.

In breaking down my experience, I invite you all to think about your own favourite musicians, albums, or concerts and reflect on how they have affected you in similar ways.

Aesthetic Chills

As I listened, there were periods of anticipation or build-ups to a 'drop' that triggered an intense pleasure response. This anticipation sent a rush of dopamine through my brain, lighting it up with excitement. When the drop came and my brain made a correct prediction, I was rewarded with an even greater pleasure response! My heart rate went up, my breathing deepened, and I felt goosebumps on my skin—classic signs of what are known as "aesthetic chills."

Rhythm & Movement

Several tracks on the album have a heavy, techno, rave-like quality, that made me want to get up and dance. Studies show that techno music stimulates the release of hormones like β-endorphins, which elevate mood and reduce pain, and growth hormone, which supports tissue repair and vitality. This genre, with its rhythmic energy, also boosts norepinephrine, sharpening focus and alertness. The tempo triggered the premotor cortex, the brain area responsible for movement planning, telling me, "Dance!"

Surprise & Uncertainty

SOPHIE’s music is anything but predictable. The unconventionality—both in structure and sound—sent sparks of dopamine to my brain’s reward centres (particularly the Nucleus Accumbens). Music that surprises us in just the right way activates our brain's pleasure system, increasing activity in areas linked to memory and reward.

Anticipation

The whole process of waiting for the album was in itself a reward. A study conducted by UCL showed that the process of waiting on a future reward can actually be just a pleasurable as the reward itself.

Authenticity

SOPHIE’s signature sounds—bizarre, wonky, and unmistakably hers—trigger emotional and auditory centres in the brain, particularly in the right hemisphere. Authentic music like this taps into deeper emotions that go beyond words, engaging our most primal responses and creating a sense of raw connection.

Innovation

SOPHIE’s music often ventures into extreme and unconventional territories, challenging traditional ideas of what pop music should sound like. This taps into the peak shift principle, which suggests that our brains respond more intensely to exaggerated stimuli. While I deeply resonate with and enjoy these unique sounds, others may find it quite challenging.

Bittersweet Sadness

While SOPHIE’s music brought joy, it also carried a deep sense of loss, knowing it’s the last we’ll hear from her. Research shows that people are often drawn to sad music because it helps them process emotions. As I listened, I felt absorbed, reflecting on her passing, which made the experience both cathartic and bittersweet.

Community Connection

SOPHIE was an icon, especially for the trans community, and her authenticity inspired many within the LGBTQIA+ community, including myself. Listening to this album transported me to something larger than myself—a sense of belonging to a community that SOPHIE, in her life and art, helped to shape. A sense of belonging in some sort of community is essential when considering one's own health and well-being. So many LGBTQIA+ individuals experience intense periods of isolation, especially when they’re not ‘out,’ making representation by icons like SOPHIE so important for helping those in these challenging limbo states feel less alone.

To Summarise:

Music, in its many forms, is such a powerful tool for enhancing well-being and sparking joy. Whether it's the uplifting melodies of your favourite artist or the comforting rhythms that resonate with your experiences, music is an incredibly powerful tool to help us to our emotions and each other.

Celebrating SOPHIE: The Neuroscience of Electronic Music & Connection.