On a day that embodies seasonal uncertainty, Vancouver-based singer and producer Sophia Stel finds herself in Brooklyn’s Herbert Von King Park, seeking a spark for her Canadian cigarettes. As she lights up with a light blue Bic lighter, she describes her smokes as “more polite,” a nod to her home country’s reputation for kindness. This local press day is a precursor to a significant milestone: her album release party, for a record intriguingly titled the greatest album of all time, which feels akin to witnessing a shy child find their confidence in a talent show setting.
Breaking into the Scene
Stel’s journey into music began in 2024 with her debut EP, Object Permanence. Despite having been immersed in music creation since age seven, she spent years wrestling with fear that held her back from sharing her work. “It’s just so lame to be so afraid of what people think that you make all this music for years and never release it because you’re scared it’s not perfect or something,” she admits. However, the act of releasing her first songs shifted her perspective, revealing that the stakes weren’t as high as she had imagined: “If you drop a shitty EP, you’re going to be OK.”
Finding Her Sound
Her fears dissipated quickly as Object Permanence garnered a dedicated fanbase, thanks to Stel’s open vulnerability paired with an unconventional pop flair. Tracks like “You Could Hate Me” and “I’ll Take It” channel the frenetic energy of early 2010s electro-pop while blending in elements of Future’s reflective melodies, Rihanna’s infectious beats, and the quirky guitar pop of ML Buch. As she refined her songs, Stel learned the importance of knowing when to stop working on them, ultimately selecting six tracks that she believed in wholeheartedly.
Her latest EP, How to Win at Solitaire, showcased the culmination of her years in solitude. It features a sonic landscape rich in electronic textures, trap rhythms, and ambient soundscapes, layered over memorable melodies accentuated by ethereal Auto-Tune. Stel brilliantly transforms diverse influences into a distinct language of emotional expression.
A Life Shaped by Music
For years, Stel supported her musical aspirations through various jobs, always selecting roles that afforded her time to create. From a gardener to a bartender and eventual house painter, she eventually left each position as her music career flourished. “House painting is the best job because all day I’m maybe listening to an audiobook or not listening to anything, just painting a wall thinking about music, and then you come home and you’re so excited to do it,” she reflects.
As her trajectory began to rise, she held a humble acceptance of her future. “I’ll probably work during the day and then come home and make music,” she remembers thinking. However, following the success of her first two EPs, she found herself unexpectedly attending Paris Fashion Week, grappling with a mix of nerves and insufficient preparation. “I literally have one outfit and I’m so not prepared and I don’t know how to act,” she shares, illustrating the sudden pressures of newfound fame.
The Purpose Behind the Title
The audacious title of her new album was inspired by a comment she made during an interview after How to Win at Solitaire gained traction. She expressed her desire to create the greatest album of all time, a statement that quickly evolved into a personal challenge. “I decided to use the title myself, making that level of confidence part of the assignment,” she explains.
Stel believes in the notion that kindness and confidence are crucial to thriving in the industry. “Too much insecurity makes you hold yourself back, but it also makes you treat people poorly because you’re trying to make yourself feel better,” she comments.
Exploring Personal Themes
Born in Victoria, British Columbia, and raised in a large religious family as the third of eleven children, Stel’s upbringing shaped her emotional framework. In her family home, a tacit rule often dictated that only one child could cry at a time. “If one of them would start crying, everybody would be like, ‘Fuck yeah, I’ma start crying too,’ because everyone’s trying to get attention,” she recalls, providing insight into her responses to others’ emotions.
This dynamic influences her reactions to someone else’s pain. Her new song “Molly in the Club” reflects these complexities, merging pop appeal with thoughtful lyrics about emotional struggles. The upbeat production contrasts with the introspective nature of the lyrics, modeling a duality that resonates deeply.
Stel wrote “Molly in the Club” post-breakup, exploring her emotions when the pain had subsided, searching for clarity from her experiences. “It’s like I’ll be trying to write a song closer to the event happening and I won’t feel like I understand it. And then six months go by and I’m like, ‘OK, now I understand it,’” she notes.
The Journey of Love and Vulnerability
As we converse, a remote-controlled car whizzes by, momentarily distracting her. “Whose is that? I need to get one of those at my house,” she muses. After cultivating her interest in the playful scene nearby, she returns to the topic of her romantic life, revealing, “But yeah, no, I am in love now.” The structure of her album chronicles her emotional journey, reflecting her growth from overcoming heartbreak to embracing new love.
One poignant track, “Wedding Song,” delves into the complexities of marriage, especially as it relates to her queer identity and familial acceptance. “It’s sort of my own experiences with being queer and not widely accepted by my family,” she shares. This deeply personal exploration addresses her longing for acceptance while navigating her reality.
Writing helps Stel tackle conversations she finds hard to engage in directly. She revisits fragments of dialogue that resonate with her, gradually finding melodies that suit them. “I get better every year at also saying things to people’s faces, not just through music, because I think that’s important,” she adds.
Stel’s admiration for artists shaping the melodic narrative has influenced her craft. “I like to write words and I want to put a lot of words in a song,” she observes, crediting Future’s impactful lyrical delivery for inspiring her to explore innovative melodic structures.
A Celebration of Music
A few days later, at her album release party, Stel finds herself in a festive atmosphere, with surprise guests like Lorde in attendance. As the night unfolds, an unexpected karaoke session erupts, and despite prior nerves about performing, she joyfully sings along to a medley of Future classics. “But when it comes to my music, I’m like, I have to be the strongest advocate, and also I have to get up there and sing it and show that I love it,” she reflects on the significance of embracing her art.
Despite feeling awkward at times, she affirms, “it’s still worth it because I love this thing.” As her musical journey unfolds, Sophia Stel continues to embrace her vulnerabilities while celebrating the strength found in her artistry.
