Melbourne misfit Momoko Rose wields her vulnerability as an instrument of healing. As a biracial and bisexual artist, her music embodies both wistfulness and wit, exploring realms of ambiguity and contradiction. Momoko’s feminine aesthetic is charged with masculine energy, challenging conventions with her unique brand of edgy softness. Drawing inspiration from otherworldly women in R&B and folk — Björk, Raveena, Joanna Newsom and Japanese folk singer Ichiko Aoba — Momoko crafts ethereal soundscapes that intertwine lush chords pierced by dynamic beats. Despite her first love for folk music, her sound is constantly evolving and breaks genre boundaries.

Momoko’s latest track, ‘softboi’, emerged during Melbourne’s lockdowns as she experimented with beatmaking in Ableton and eventually collaborated with producer Rino Darusman. The song tackles emotional unavailability and the struggles men have with vulnerability. Although the lyrics are playful and simple, ‘softboi’ exposes the covert ways in which toxic masculinity impacts relationships and society. It references the ‘softboi’ archetype without defining it, to shed light on how some men assert themselves through intellectual prowess rather than traditional physical strength, revealing that these self-imposed barriers often hinder genuine and intimate connections. ‘Softboi’ serves as an anthem for the sensitive and socially awkward, resonating with those navigating the complexities of modern relationships.