the british weather is a constant mystery to me. clocks went forward last night. days are drawing out. yet the weather is still fairly cold, the warmth of the sunlight is fleeting, and the wind is ravaging what remains of my hairline. it's quintessentially british, i suppose. when i'm getting battered by the wind, i'm not really in the mood for something loud and garish. when it's grey, i seek comfort. iced coffee and a read, ideally. and some good music. recently, i've been seeking comfort in sophia stel.
the more i listen to her music, and the more i learn about her, the closer sophia stel becomes to being one of my favourite artists. sonically, i'm totally hooked. for me, her music sits somewhere between 070 shake and caroline polachek. alt-pop that moves, both physically and emotionally. the synths on taste are some of the best i've heard, layered with sophia's soft, almost raspy vocal delivery. proper. i think what really draws me to her music is the process. it is reactionary in the best possible way. recording in a haze of weed smoke, digicam flashes, and harsh vancouver winters, it is authentic in the best possible way, encapsulating the messiness of a breakup, the love of your favourite hoodie, and coming of age in one big package. sound, visuals, interviews, the lot. sophia stel is herself.
it seems the rest of the world thinks the same. sophia was recently unveiled as the second signee to a24 music, joining fellow sonic marvel mark william lewis. the fashion world has taken note, with sophia walking for ann demeulemeester, and featuring prominently in a palace lookbook. her interviews are all worth reading. i love when an artist lays it all out, and sophia talks about her music with an enthusiasm that exudes off the page. i'm all in. chuck your favourite hoodie on, make a cup of tea, go on a walk, and take sophia stel in.
a future great.