At the young age of 18 years, Sophia Stephens has achieved what most musicians twice her age struggle to achieve. Amassing a catalog of over 500 original songs, and with 8k+ monthly listeners, Stephens released her full-length album, "Love & Grief," and it's stunningly mature and emotionally impactful.
Drawing inspiration from the phenomenal, emotional soundscapes of artists such as Florence + The Machine, Lorde, Hozier, and Adele, Stephens brings together the resounding pop-soul-rock that touts her powerhouse vocals and her gift for penning unforgettable melodies. But at the core of "Love & Grief" lies Stephens' remarkably honest and vulnerable songwriting, which spans the complete spectrum of human emotion.
The opener "Muscle Memory" embodies Stephens' singular sound and vantage point, driven by an infectious indie-pop-driven hook and her passionate, expressive vocals. She tackles in the song the emotional hangover of lost relationships and how the physical and emotional connections we make with other people can never really be cut, even as time and space pull us apart.
From the driving cathartic anthem of "Enough is Enough" to the delicate, acoustic "Things Will Never Be The Same" and piano-driven "I'm Still Here," Stephens opens her soul on these 10 tracks. On the pulsing, propulsive "Get Go," Stephens channels her rock influences, unleashing a snarling, cathartic takedown of ruined relationships.
The song "Up in Flames" is one of the beautiful standout pieces on the album: a hauntingly beautiful folk-pop ballad. A delicate guitar and lush string arrangement carry in the song the bittersweet realization that from the very beginning, the relationship was foredoomed, though one couldn't help but not let it go.
"Time Passes By" is a sensual, soul-filled song about how Stephens reflects on the relentless march of time and the blessing of being grateful for love and life lived.
The album's closing track, "Beautiful Life," is a sweeping, cinematic ballad that reflects on mortality and the treasure of every moment. Vocals from Stephens swirl above lush strings and atmospheric keyboards to deliver a message of appreciation for life's beauty amidst its natural hurt and passing.
In "Love & Grief," Stephens grapples with such heavy, multifaceted themes and yet still manages to hold onto a robust, distinctive artistic vision. Songwriting-wise, there's a maturity and surety of self that belies her young years, and she attacks these universal human experiences with a unique perspective and unflinching honesty.
The road to this point in her career has been quite inspiring for Stephens, from a childhood spent reenacting whole Disney movies for the family to center-stage in her school's theater productions. But it wasn't until the COVID-19 pandemic forcibly secluded her in isolation that she truly focused on her passion for songwriting.
"Love & Grief" introduces the world to a very particular talent, indeed. This is just the beginning of the breathtaking musical career of Sophia Stephens. On "Love & Grief," she proved herself a singular, crucial new voice in pop music, unafraid to address life's most profound complexities and channel them into music that is as cathartic as it is undeniable. Don't miss the songwriting of Sophia Stephens, so make sure to stream "Love & Grief" on your music platform of choice.