Leicester-born, London-based rising star SOFY has announced details of her long-awaited debut album How To Perform Magic, arriving on 25th September. Alongside the announcement, she has unveiled the album’s lead single DooYaa, a sharp-edged blast of guitar-driven indie-pop that takes aim at industry nepotism and the frustrations of trying to survive as an independent artist.
SOFY
Built around infectious hooks, biting lyricism and SOFY’s trademark blend of humour and honesty, DooYaa captures the artist at her most direct. Written during a period where she was juggling multiple jobs while trying to sustain momentum in music, the track channels her growing frustration at watching opportunities handed to others through connections and privilege rather than hard work.
The single offers the first glimpse into How To Perform Magic, a deeply personal record that marks a major artistic evolution for SOFY. Written and recorded in Camden alongside longtime collaborator Edward Denholm, the album was created largely in isolation before being mixed by Nathan Boddy. While previous releases showcased a brighter, more playful indie-pop sound, this new era sees SOFY embracing darker textures and more introspective themes.
Across the album, she explores burnout, imposter syndrome, anxiety and emotional exhaustion, all filtered through a sound that blends britpop, trip-hop, garage rock and breakbeats. Influences ranging from Massive Attack and The xx to Radiohead can be felt throughout, but the result remains unmistakably SOFY—hook-heavy, emotionally raw and fiercely self-aware.
The record’s title reflects the emotional push and pull at the heart of the project. For SOFY, songwriting became a way of transforming chaos into something meaningful—a form of escapism and self-preservation during a period where the pressures of modern music culture and constant online visibility left her feeling disconnected from herself and her creativity.
Visually, How To Perform Magic signals a dramatic shift too. Moving away from the bright, bubblegum aesthetic associated with her earlier releases, this new chapter embraces darker imagery and gothic undertones, reflecting the emotional weight behind the music. The result is an album that feels both cathartic and transformative, balancing moments of vulnerability with defiance and resilience.
SOFY
Despite the heavier themes, there remains a powerful sense of determination running throughout the record. SOFY’s willingness to confront difficult emotions head-on while refusing to compromise creatively is what makes How To Perform Magic feel so compelling. It’s the sound of an artist reclaiming her identity and rediscovering her love for making music on her own terms.
Alongside the album announcement, SOFY has also confirmed a run of UK festival appearances this summer, including support slots with The Libertines and Kasabian.
Upcoming UK Tour Dates:
JUNE
14th – Plymouth, Discovery Festival (supporting The Libertines)
JULY
4th – London, Finsbury Park (supporting Kasabian)
AUGUST
1st – Valley Fest, Somerset
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