The emerging songwriter SOFY concludes her introductory two-part project with new EP, Bored In Colour (Pt.2).

As first projects go, the rising artist has hit a home run with the Bored In Colour project. It not only serves as an introduction to the UK-based artist but also showcases her gift for weaving together playful and relatable lyricism, infectious indie-pop hooks, and vibrant production. In only a short few years, this musician has garnered interest from numerous tastemakers, had a track featured in FIFA 2023, and continued to gain a steadily growing fanbase. Part two is a clear step up from its predecessor, this time round SOFY is more confident, artistically refined, and versatile. To celebrate the release of Bored In Colour (Pt.2), SOFY penned a track-by-track article for 1883 Magazine where she delves into the meaning behind the EP and the six tracks on it.

A note from SOFY

Conceptually, Bored in Colour (Pt.2) is an extension of the stories from the first part of the project, finding the magic in the mundane and celebrating the vibrancy and boredom of modern life in Britain. I wanted to make a two part EP from the offset as the first introduction to SOFY, because once I started writing songs for the first time last year it opened up a whole new world for me and I found I had quite a lot to say (shock). I’m always thinking about a million things at once but have never really been one to write them down until I discovered songwriting, so the whole Bored in Colour project definitely feels like a first diary entry in a way – a window into the weird running social commentary that’s on my mind 24/7, and a collection of my thoughts and experiences so far. Although the overall concept remains consistent with Part 1, Part 2 definitely feels like an evolution of my sound, meshing upbeat indie and britpop with the wonky alt-pop and hip-hop influences of the first EP. There’s even a stripped back, heart on your sleeve sad song in there. It’s kind of an eclectic mix, but SOFY’s world is all about trusting your instincts, not overthinking things and going with the flow, so it feels right.

Egomaniac

Egomaniac is a breakup revenge anthem, inspired by the cult 00s film ‘John Tucker Must Die’ (if John Tucker was a 5ft10 softboi from Hackney). Written from the perspective of breaking up with a narcissist, the song is about looking back and reflecting on a toxic relationship after it’s over, and seeing all the red flags that were missed at the time (‘say love is blind til it’s over, you’ll never see yourself the way that I can see ya’). It’s been one of my favourite songs to play on the festival circuit this summer, and is definitely a nod to many more guitar bangers that are in the pipeline for next year.

Big Talk

Big Talk was inspired by my time in the wilderness of dating apps, trying to find meaningful connections but getting bummed out by small talk that never goes anywhere. Sonically it draws upon a lot of influences, pairing hip-hop inspired drums and samples with woozy distorted guitars. The verses are quite laid back and woozy but the chorus packs a proper punch which I love. You might recognise it from Fifa 23. 

Fiesta

I wrote Fiesta with my best mate Ed one Saturday when we were both stupidly hungover. It’s a hedonistic love song dedicated to going out and taking it too far  – you know you shouldn’t but you do it anyway. I actually think there’s something kind of beautiful about those hazy mornings after the night before, so we wanted to really lean into it and romanticize it. Sonically, it’s definitely the biggest ode to my beloved Britpop of the whole EP. I love it.

Just Mates

Ahh, Just Mates. The will they / won’t they, Jim and Pam story of unrequited love when you accidentally fall in love with your best friend. It’s kind of agonising and confusing but also exciting and fun at the same time, second guessing situations and feeling things out. I think the line from the chorus ‘If we’re just mates why does it hurt when you call me that?’ sums it up perfectly. Not that it’s happened to me before. Definitely not.

btw

btw is going to surprise a few people I think, it’s completely different to the rest of the project. It’s a stripped back, raw song about saying goodbye when a relationship ends but it’s nobody’s fault. It’s kind of the antithesis to Egomaniac in a way, when you still have a lot of love for that person but it’s just not the same anymore and it sucks. It’s probably the first song that I’ve written where I’ve fully worn my heart on my sleeve and It’s the only song I’m actually kind of scared to release because it’s SO vulnerable (and the guy it’s about doesn’t know it exists). It started off as a voicenote demo on acoustic guitar that I wrote with my bandmates Ed and James in James’s bedroom in Brixton last July. We weren’t going to develop it beyond a demo, but then my manager Harry suggested it might sound nice with a string section, so we borrowed an afternoon in AIR studios (big thanks to the lovely Becca for sneaking us in) and came out with this cinematic outro track instead. 

L-Plates

 L-plates came about when my best mate Ed and I had a session and we were both feeling a bit shit, one of those days where you feel a bit stuck and low and nothing seems to be going right but you don’t know why (I think a lot of artists will relate to that feeling). It’s about experiencing feelings that you haven’t had before and figuring out how to manage your mental health, which to me feels like driving with L-plates – you’re on the road and you have to keep going, but you’re massively out of your comfort zone and figuring it out along the way as best you can. The track itself though is quite upbeat and has a euphoric and hopeful feel, which I think is a perfect contrast to the concept, as a reminder that everything will work out ok in the end.

Bored In Colour (Pt.2) is out now. Follow SOFY @sofysounds