Alternative pop artist SOFY has taken a bold leap into introspection with her latest release, the conceptual mixtape “Another Day In Paradise,” available on Chess Club Records. Known for her sharp and observational lyricism, SOFY shifts the focus from external narratives to her own experience, guiding listeners through a deeply personal relationship saga. The mixtape traces the emotional highs and lows of evolving desires across its tracks, punctuated by transformative moments—culminating in SOFY’s striking new aesthetic as she embodies her lyrics. Uniquely designed to be experienced as a cohesive whole rather than disjointed singles, it stands apart in a landscape dominated by quick consumption.
Having graced stages at esteemed festivals including Glastonbury, Truck, and Latitude, SOFY has solidified her presence in the UK’s live music scene. With millions of streams and support from major platforms like BBC Radio 1 and MTV, SOFY’s journey from local performer to rising star is marked by her authentic sound and relatable storytelling.
We had the chance to speak to SOFY about rejecting the industry’s single-driven norms and proving that she is not just part of the music industry but is on the way to reshaping it completely.
Can you share a bit about your journey as an artist? When did you first put pen to paper?
I started writing songs in the pandemic, I was furloughed from my job & wanted something to focus on, and then I just completely fell in love with it and it changed my whole life
What inspired the decision to create your conceptual mixtape “Another Day In Paradise”? What themes do you explore throughout?
Another Day In Paradise was inspired by real life events. In the story told by the mixtape there’s a bit of an emotional washing machine – yearning and heartache and denial and joy, tentativeness and intimacy and friendship and love (requited and unrequited). it’s the bittersweetness of the feeling at the pit of your stomach when u fall for someone u shouldn’t- it’s like fuck this feels horrible but beautiful at the same time!!!
I felt like the phrase Another Day In Paradise kind of encompasses all of that because it’s a bit of a double entendre – it can be taken sarcastically and literally & holds different meaning depending on which song on the mixtape you’re listening to.
You mentioned that you’re advocating for a longer form of storytelling in your music. How do you think this approach contrasts with current industry trends?
I feel like tiktok and social media has made people’s attention spans so short, and the industry only really gives a fuck about what song is having its 15 second moment right now when they’re looking to break an artist and there’s way less emphasis on artist development and storytelling. As an emerging artist, the music industry looks really different now to how it did when I was growing up, where all my favourite artists had nuance and storylines and lore, and that’s the kind of music I want to make, so I wanted to lean into that.
How do personal experiences shape the lyrics in your mixtape, and what do you hope listeners take away from your story?
The whole mixtape was written from personal experience, it’s kind of like an extended diary entry almost, so yeah it’s very personal. I guess I hope that people listen to it and can feel the same feelings I did when I was writing it. And if anyone listening has had similar experiences (falling in love with your unavailable best friend), hopefully it can be a comfort or inspire you to trust your gut and feel those big feelings, because the person might feel them back.
Can you discuss your creative process when writing this mixtape? How does it differ from your previous works?
This is the first time I’ve written a record with an overarching storyline and in chronological order, which was a really fun challenge but quite tough at times because we had to make sure each song tied together with the next in lyrical content as well as conveying the right feeling as well. It explores much more personal and intimate themes so me and Ed who produced most of the record & who I wrote it with actually started pretty much every song on acoustic guitar and built it up from there, so the crux of each song is the song itself rather than the production or anything else.
You’ve performed at numerous festivals, including Glastonbury. What have been some of the most memorable moments on stage for you?
Too many to count! We actually had a powercut during one of our sets at Glastonbury which will be hard to forget. And our first main stage slot at Truck festival last year was amazing, so many people showed up in their SOFY football shirts with their Leicester City flags and cardboard signs and stuff, it was beautiful and I really wasn’t expecting that turnout.
Your fanbase, whom you refer to as your ‘rats,’ are very engaged with your world. What does their support mean to you, and how do you connect with them?
It means the world, they’re the best bunch of people and I love how inclusive they are with others in the group as well, we’ve got a discord channel and it’s been amazing seeing it grow and everyone becoming mates. They’re jokes as well, they make the best memes and alternative artworks and stuff. They’re an amazing sounding board when it comes to sharing new ideas and stuff too. I just love them!
How has your interaction with fans influenced your music and career choices?
Honestly, mostly they just inspire me to keep going. I always try not to let other people influence the music I make, and that goes for my fans to, I like to keep that process sacred & try to make music for me and me only cuz that’s how I feel I get the most authentic stuff. But there’s been so many times where I’ve been feeling disheartened about the industry and feeling like I’m stuck in a bit of a hole and then someone will send me a dm saying that they played one of my songs to their best friend who they were secretly in love with and now they’re together, and it reminds me that this actually is reaching people and means something to other people, not just me. And that’s really comforting.
What are your goals for “Another Day In Paradise” and beyond? What can fans expect next from you?
I just want to keep making music that I love and that I’m proud of. I really truly believe in Another Day In Paradise and all the songs on there and I’m excited to see what life the record takes on and all the people it will find. And I’m REALLY excited to take it on tour next month! But after that I’ll go back to the studio and find the next thing to write about. It’ll probably be completely different, but that’s the best thing about it.
How do you envision the future of music and how artists balance creativity with industry expectations?
I hope there’s more support from the industry for developing artists, and that labels give developing artists more room to be creative and take risks at the beginning of their careers. I also really think that people are becoming fatigued with short form content and doom scrolling and are searching for stuff with more meaning, so hopefully culture puts more emphasis on longer form content and projects as well.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your new mixtape or your journey as an artist?
Just that I can’t wait for the mixtape to find its people. I really believe that if you wholeheartedly believe in a project it will find them, no matter how long it takes, and i’m really excited for when that happens.
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Another Day In Paradise is out now: https://sofy.ffm.to/anotherdayinparadise
