Sophia Stephens returns to our pages with emotional exploration of connection and loss, Love & Grief.
By Graeme Smith
First appearing on our blog in the summer of 2023 through her debut EP, Remnantal, before returning with a single earlier this year, Sophia Stevens is a young singer songwriter who we can’t get enough of. Inspired by the likes of Florence and the Machine, Lorde, Adele and the rock of the 1970s, she has penned over 500 songs during her modest eighteen years on this planet.
Her new album Love & Grief builds on the foundation set in Remnantal, telling an extended, emotional tale that is hard to ignore. Over ten tracks, she bares her heart and soul, and has us falling in love with her music even more.
The album opens with Muscle Memory, and it’s a rousing pop rock start. Sophia’s distinctive vocals steal the show, set nicely against the textured, well-produced instrumental. Following it is Get Go and we get some instant range and contrast thanks to its raw punchiness.
Up in Flames slows things down with a smouldering, pleading effort before title track Love & Grief provides an early highlight thanks to its cinematic soundscape and honest lyrics. Enough is Enough rounds off the album’s first half with a bouncy pop punk number.
Things Will Never Be The Same is a delicate, brooding moment which introduces elements of R&B to proceedings while Little Things is simmering and stripped back. Time Passes By is a bright and hopeful piano ballad. I’m Still Here stirs with a poetic effort. Beautiful Life closes the album with a warm, philosophical final statement.
Whenever I listen to Sophia Stephens’ music, I simply forget how young she is. She’s an accomplished songwriter with a unique voice that is only going to get more distinctive as she gets older. She’s truly one to watch.
Love & Grief is out now and you can give it a listen below.