Alt-pop singer/songwriter Sofia Lafuente makes her highly anticipated return with her new single ‘Are You Listening’, out now on all streaming platforms. This is the first single to be taken from her upcoming second EP, set for release in Spring.
Accompanied by an emotive and haunting music video, the visual spans multiple frames of stunning up-close shots showcasing two sides to the artist – Sofia in white, representing the innocence of her past, and Sofia in red who dares to break free from anything that holds her back. Filmed in Extremadura – the area of Spain where Sofia’s family is from – the frames interchange between night time shots of Sofia dancing around a fire in the woods, paired with breathtaking panoramic views of the Spanish countryside.
Darker and more sensual than her previous releases, ‘Are You Listening’ highlights a shift in musical direction for the multi-faceted artist, marking a new chapter both sonically and personally and showcasing Sofia at her most authentic yet. Singing in both English and Spanish, the track showcases her natural gift for storytelling and her ability to convey feelings and emotions through her music, all wrapped up in her captivatingly sultry and delicate vocals.
Speaking of the track, Sofia says, “I recorded this song in between lockdowns with the insanely talented artist/producer SHOR who is amazing at building textures. It’s funny because this song has evolved in meaning a lot since I wrote it. It can definitely be perceived as romantic at first, but I now hear it as a kind of little musical mantra to myself for those moments where you are struggling with self doubt or insecurities. I wanted to write a song that captured the fear that can come up when you’re being vulnerable with someone for the first time.”
Born in the United States and raised across Europe by her American father and Spanish mother, Sofia Lafuente turned to music at an early age as a form of escapism from her trans-continental upbringing. With this new music, Sofia was able to reconnect with her Spanish roots and has taken inspiration from the traditional Spanish folk songs that her mother would sing to her as a child.
After undergoing significant surgery on her back at the age of 13, songwriting became a vital part of her life.”I picked up a guitar because it was the only thing I could do in a back brace! Songs just started coming out of me. I needed an outlet.” By 14, Sofia was performing live and quickly got herself into writing and studio sessions.
Sofia’s music is deeply inspired by the theatrics of Kate Bush, the charm of Stevie Nicks and the confidence of Shakira to constantly evolve and develop a new sound. Drawing from her combined influences, she thrives on being able to experiment with her music and the concepts and emotions she’s able to portray, and the Sofia we hear today is as real as it gets.
