Sonia Stein

During the past few months, I guess a fair number of us will identify with waking up first thing in the morning, not so much refreshed, yet feeling like we’ve been sucked into a bad dream. In differing ways, the COVID-19 pandemic will have taken its toll on all who have lived through it. As we slowly begin to return to the normalcy of our pre-pandemic lives. We are not dwelling on the experiences we have endured but are making adjustments and moving forward. Advice, the chap, Sonia Stein has written about for her emotively soulful track “Bad Dream” could have done with hearing. Before the soul-pop songstress blew the whistle on his lacklustre attitude towards relationships, in the form of this song.

“Bad Dream” is written from the perspective of a man I see often in relationships around me. Someone who refuses to put any work into the relationship or take responsibility for some of the issues in it, someone who is afraid of their own feelings and wants things to “just be okay” without any effort or work on their part. As soon as he is confronted with the idea that their partner might want to leave them he can’t handle the idea of being alone.” Sonia advises.

In all probability, we’ve encountered someone just like that. A bit of deadbeat with little desire to step up their game, lighten the load, act as a teammate. They are very draining to be around. It is little wonder, Sonia felt the need to highlight such a person and explore the feelings they, in turn, evoke of their partners. As being with a person like that is like living a ‘bad dream’ every day. Sonia’s musicality is such. She works to create a melodically entrancing song. Breezy and Jaunty. Allowing her softly exhaled tones, to cast an enrapturing spell. - EQ Music

Sometimes we need to pause and take a look at the bigger picture, even if it seems like others around us aren’t doing so. This is especially true now.

London-based singer/songwriter Sonia Stein is encouraging us to do just that with her latest single “Philosophical”.

“‘Philosophical’ is about always trying to find the deeper meaning behind things and how that sometimes stops me from being able to let go and have fun,” Sonia shares. “It’s about the frustration I have at times with people who want to distract themselves and not think about these things and sometimes with myself, for being so fixated on them.”

Sonia’s upbringing included her spending time in Berlin, Poland, and the United States. Her pop songs are deeply personal, and include messages that will marinate in your brain for quite a while.

She also went on to say, “The thing that lights me up the most and I am most passionate abut is posing these big questions about life. Why do behave the way we do? What we are here to learn? What do we just accept as normal but is a result of deep societal conditioning? It kind of feels like that’s all I want to talk about. I wrote Philosophical when I was having a conflicting relationship to that part of myself- I felt like I was starting these conversations with people who didn’t want to get into it, in places that didn’t feel open to it and as a result would leave me questioning whether the need for me to go deep all the time holds me back from having a bit of fun or whether I was just hanging out with the wrong people.”

Sonia has absolutely hit the nail right on the head. As we carry on with this week, we must really dig deep and continue to ask ourselves why we behave the way we do, why we choose to patronize the companies we do, and more. Self-evaluation is a step towards change!

As you listen to “Philosophical”, Sonia invites you to check out the Loveland Foundation. The Loveland Foundation is committed to showing up for communities of color in unique and powerful ways, with a particular focus on Black women and girls! To learn more and make a donation, visit thelovelandfoundation.org.

Check out “Philosophical” below, and say hi to Sonia on Twitter and Instagram @soniasteinmusic! - PlnkWifi

On "Philosophical," pop crooner Sonia Stein remains both burdened and inspired by existential questions.

"Why do we behave the way we do? What are we here to learn?" Stein told Popdust in anticipation of "Philosophical's" premiere this morning. But the track, a bright offering of R&B electronica, finds Stein confidently answering these questions rather than bewildered by them. "When you need a cigarette you're just trying to find an easy escape" she warbles over muzzled 808s, her poignant lyrics suggesting an artist deftly aware of her own toxic tendencies. "I wrote 'Philosophical' when I was having a conflicting relationship to that part of myself," said Stein. "I felt like I was starting these conversations with people who didn't want to get into it." "Philosophical" is self-assured and paints Sonia Stein as a creative ready to embrace the conflicting questions and habits that make up her life. "What do we just accept as normal but is a result of deep social conditioning? It kind of feels like that's all I want to talk about."Check out "Philosophical" below. - PopDust

Praised by the likes of The Line Of Best Fit and Wonderland Magazine who proclaim her to “have a voice that will leave you hypnotised”, Sonia Stein has known since an early age that music was her true passion and has worked hard – tirelessly so – in the past few years to hone her craft and establish herself as an artist. And, it must be said, she’s certainly succeeded. Her videos have to date been viewed more than 6 million times on YouTube and her songs streamed 2 million times across all platforms, and her audience and reach only continues to grow.

Fresh off the back of a world tour supporting Dido, which saw her impress both fans and critics, Sonia released her EP See Me Now, created with the help of her long-time collaborator producer Liam Howe who has worked with FKA Twigs, Adele, and Jessie Ware, at the start of the year. The collection showcases her impressive song-writing capabilities and vocal range and shows she’s someone not afraid to be honest and open about the things and topics that matter to her; there’s an emotional depth to much of her music that some might feel is lacking from many other artists. Such depth is highlighted on her brand new single “Philosophical”, which PopWrapped are delighted to premiere.

Sonia says of the track: “Philosophical is about always trying to find the deeper meaning behind things and how that sometimes stops me from being able to let go and have fun. It’s about the frustration I have at times with people who want to distract themselves and not think about these things and sometimes with myself, for being so fixated on them.”

Give “Philosophical” a listen below and for more information on Sonia Stein, visit her website, give her page a like on Facebook or follow her on Twitter. - PopWrapped

In a world full of seemingly endless noise and chaos, pop-songstress Sonia Stein looks into the eternity that is herself to find ‘something to believe in’ with ‘Symbol,’ the new video for the haunting track off her latest EP.

Long before the coronavirus pandemic turned life on its head, it seemed as if the world was being overwhelmed. Political double-speak, “fake news,” misdirection, lies, and disillusionment were everywhere — and still is! Sonia Stein, a UK pop-songstress, captured this crisis in faith in “Symbol,” a new cut from her new EP, See Me Now. In the video accompanying the somber track, Sonia stands pressed against a blank wall as powerful images – the planet earth, Barack Obama’s presidential inauguration, a country torn by war, the testing of the nuclear bomb, Greta Thunberg reprimanding world leaders over climate change – project over her. As she sings about searching for meaning, she ultimately winds up covered in stars, in eternity, either devoid or completely full of what she’s looking for.

Though the track seems like it was written for the current COVID-19 outbreak, Sonia tells HollywoodLife that it’s not the case. “ ‘Symbol,’ is a song I wrote about the confusion and oftentimes hopelessness one feels when looking for someone/something to believe in, specifically in the political world,” she says. “Sonically, the song feels very cinematic, so for the visuals, we used a mixture of images from beautiful landscapes, nature, and space to images of recent and past events that feel relevant to the sentiment/message of the song. The whole video was filmed in my flat during lockdown using just a projector.”

This marriage of her ingenuity and creativity has been helping the London transplant achieve her music dreams since she was 15 years old. “My perspective on the world is different because I lived in loads of places,” she told Wonderland magazine in 2018. “It makes my songwriting my own style, but I never think about it while I’m writing like, ‘Oh, I’m writing this because I used to live in Poland!’” An unabashed lover of pop music, Sonia’s music is the melding of her unique style and wide range of influences to create a sound that built a loyal following across the globe.

Sonia started 2020 off by wrapping up a sold-out world tour with Dido, and she followed that by releasing See Me Now. The five-track EP included her previously released tracks, “London Used To Be So Cool,” “Passerby,” and “Coexist.” Though the COVID-19 outbreak might have delayed her plans, there’s no stopping where Sonia takes her brand of “Twin Peaks meets hippy witch androgyny” next. - Hollywood Life

One artist capturing the relatable zeitgeist in modern love is London-based singer-songwriter Sonia Stein. Her track “Party’, taken from her brand new EP “See Me Now”, explores Stein’s own experiences with ghosting, the subsequent frustration, and the pain of letting someone go.

And the EP is an impressive catalogue of soaring pop, showcasing her introspective songwriting and heartfelt lyricism. Love. Travels. Cultures. Experiences. All poetically laid out for the listener. No doubt, one to watch for 2020.

We caught up with Stein below…

Hi Sonia, how are you? How is lockdown treating you?
Hi! I’m doing pretty well! Lockdown has had its ups and downs but mostly its been alright for me I can’t complain.

How is it affecting your creativity?
I think it’s actually made me more excited than ever to release and write new music. It’s also opened up this whole new world of communicating with my followers through live streaming which I am finding really energising and inspiring.

How was it going on tour with Dido? How did you first get approached for it – and what was your highlight?
I actually found out I was going on tour with Dido about 5 days before the tour started while I was in India getting a yoga teacher training certification so it felt extremely surreal and I had to make a very drastic and quick transition from that to suddenly sleeping somewhere new every night and performing for big crowds. It was an amazing experience, I loved being able to sing so often and to such lovely responsive people. Dido was so kind and supportive as well.

Congratulations on your EP “See Me Now” – what were your main inspirations behind it?
Thank you! It’s actually a collection of songs written at such different periods of my life. I would say each song is its own little world inspired by what was happening at the time for me – from a brand new relationship, to navigating codependency, to trying to reconcile being an artist with being a product. All kinds of feelings.

And you’ve talked about how your travels to New York, Berlin and Poland, as well as your home London has influenced your music – would you mind talking a little about this – is it in regards to the people that you’ve met?
My answer to this question is always rather ambiguous because, yes I am certain that it has but I also find it very hard to pinpoint how and where exactly. I think every experience shapes us and I probably am who I am and express myself the way I do as a result of everywhere I have been and all the people I have met. Speaking a couple of languages also probably influences the way I write lyrics but that is also quite a subconscious process that’s hard to track.

You’ve had amazing feedback on your track “Party” – which is about being ghosted – any memorable ones?
I think so many people relate to the feeling (especially in this day and age) of being excited about a new person, telling your friends about them, imagining all the fun things you’ll do together only to find one day they just disappear without a trace leaving you having to guess what the hell happened and if you had imagined the whole thing! It felt so unique to my experience when I was writing it but received countless messages of people feeling the exact same way which felt like a relief.

Why is it important for you to sing candidly about your dating experiences?
Songwriting is just a way for me to process my emotions and a lot of my emotions have to do with my romantic life for some reason. I think it feels like a big part of how I learn about myself , through my experiences with other people. Be it romantic partners or friends and family.

Do you have a favourite lyric from the EP?
This is a great question! I love the lyric “If I ever wanted to be the elusive girl who’s hard to read / I gave it a shot but my chest is glass for you to see” from “London Used to Feel So Cool” or the entire bridge from “Passerby”: “how can I be so afraid? / I would prefer if you’d all look away / but don’t forget that I’m here! Why don’t you see me now?”

What’s next for you?
I have some new songs I am working on which I can’t wait to release! It kind of feels like a new phase musically for me I can’t pinpoint exactly what it is but I am very excited about it. - Wonderland

London-based R&B pop-songstress Sonia Stein has been hypnotizing global audiences with her live performances and poetic lyrics. Get ready to be entranced with her songwriting and poignant vocals in her new music video for her latest single ‘Passerby’. Her moving, emotional verses showcase Sonia’s classic background, while giving a nod to her influences including Joni Mitchell and Fiona Apple. Accompanied by nothing but a piano, Sonia has been crafting melodic pop hooks since she was 15 years old. After conquering stadiums alongside renowned artist Dido on her UK, Europe, and South America tour, Stein released her new EP “See Me Now” this past January with producer Liam Howe (FKA Twigs, Adele, Jessie Ware).

When asked about her new song, Sonia Stein said, “Passerby is about the dichotomy between wanting to be seen and wanting to hide as an artist. The constant clash between introvert and extrovert and the way that it holds me back. It’s about wanting to be appreciated without having to ask for attention (love me as a passerby).”

Her EP See Me Now is a showcase of Sonia’s songwriting and extensive vocal range that fans across the globe have come to love. Sonia has a wealth of knowledge that she brings to her self-penned emotionally heart tugging songs. Many of her experiences in travel and relationships are reflected in song through her lyrics. “I really related to the kaleidoscope of cultures that I gleaned from such cultural hubs like London, New York, Berlin and Poland,” says the songstress.

Check out a video of Sonia Stein at New York Fashion Week below and follow her on Instagram and Spotify for updates on her performances and new releases. - Untitled Magazine

How much of ourselves do we reveal on a daily basis? When we too often fail at being completely honest with ourselves or our loved ones, what charge must we give artists who share their innermost feelings with fans and outlets like this one on a daily basis? Artistry is, in so many of its forms, a practice in vulnerability and truth. It is in the artist’s power to determine how much of themselves they reveal, and so often we as consumers expect them to give us their full selves – whether that’s in a performance, an interview, song lyrics, and so on. London-based singer/songwriter Sonia Stein reckons with intimacy and privacy in her new music video “Passerby,” an inherently vulnerable ‘hidden in plain sight’ exploration of the artist’s own personal experience.

Jealousy isn’t pretty on me
I watch them succeed and I wish it was me
Years gone by and I’m still singing these songs
But there’s a dichotomy
that keeps bringing me down, down
Watch me but don’t look right at me
From the corner of your eye
I don’t know why, don’t want to ask you for it
Love me as a passerby
(See me now, see me now)
I don’t know why, don’t want to ask you for it
Love me as a passerby

Atwood Magazine is proud to be premiering the music video for “Passerby,” taken from Sonia Stein’s recently-released third EP See Me Now (January 2020 via Marathon Artists). A London-based pop singer/songwriter who just got off a World Tour with DIDO, Stein has been actively setting the world on fire since she introduced her music over six years ago. 2014’s Symbol EP offered visceral insight into an artist exploring not only herself, but also the limits of sound and space; these explorations continue into the present, where songs like the catchy “Coexist” and the propulsive, flowing “London Used to Feel so Cool” blur genre and familiar timbres while propelling an exciting air of pop majesty.

In this mix comes “Passerby,” a heavily ambient, softly soothing song in which Stein spills her soul in a state of wondering aloud. “’Passerby’ is about the dichotomy between wanting to be seen and wanting to hide as an artist,” Stein explains. “The constant clash between introvert and extrovert and the way that it holds me back. It’s about wanting to be appreciated, without having to ask for attention (love me as a passerby).”

A minimalist video presenting Stein against a rather blank canvas, the “Passerby” video frames Stein’s narrative as one in which she is both the creator and the packaged product: Wrapped in plastic, hidden behind flowers, magnified by bits of glass, Stein cedes control in a humble acknowledgement of her own audience. This act is tremendously moving to those who have experienced the friction between creator and promotor; the very act of creation is often a very personal one that can feel contradictory to the whims of social media promotion.

Stein explains, “We wanted the video for ‘Passerby’ to feel like a series of moving photographs in which my face in some way is distorted, obstructed or reflected in certain objects both natural and not, to portray the idea of “hiding in plain sight” and the idea of wanting to be seen, but having a skewed perception of who I am.”

“Passerby” is intimate and poignant – a sweetly moving tale of inner struggle that so often goes untold.

As the song and music video progress, it grows in emotional and sonic strength, ultimately subsiding to a state of learned tension. There is no perfect balance to the dissonance in Stein’s soul; rather, she will continue to work through these divergent aspects of her music career, likely for her whole life.

A bright highlight off See Me Now, “Passerby” offers intimate insight into the artist’s own mindset – musically, emotionally, and spiritually.
It’s a song exploring promotion and self-expression; an intensely personal unveiling full of confidence and doubt. It’s heartfelt and touching, with muted instruments offering a platform for Stein’s celestial, hauntingly beautiful voice to shine – and shine, she does.

Stream the music video exclusively on Atwood Magazine, and dive deeper into Sonia Stein’s new EP, out now! - Atwood Magazine

As one of a growing number of artists to use personal experiences as a platform for honest and powerful songs, Londoner Sonia Stein who counts Regina Spektor and Fiona Apple among her influences, has been honing her craft since the age of 15 and in recent years has won over the likes of Clash Magazine and The Line Of Best Fit with her own ability to turn to somewhat quote The Script, “pain into power“-ful lyrics.

Her new single ‘Drunk’ is based around a moment and event many might find themselves familiar with, and she explained the story behind the song and the premise of the video:

“‘Drunk’ is a song about waking up regretful about the way things ended up the night before. Trying to drink something into happening and then feeling embarrassed about it. The video is a montage of me on tour supporting Dido throughout the European and UK dates. “

Check out ‘Drunk‘ below and for more information on Sonia Stein, visit her website, give her page a like on Facebook or follow her on Twitter. - God is in the TV

(London, England, xx, January, 2020) -- After coming off a grueling sold out World Tour with global acclaimed artist DIDO, 2020 is proving to be a big payoff for London-based pop-songstress Sonia Stein as she gets ready to release her new EP See Me Now with longtime collaborator producer Liam Howe (FKA Twigs, Adele, Jessie Ware). See Me Now is a showcase of Sonia’s songwriting and extensive vocal range that fans across the globe have come to love. Sonia has a wealth of knowledge that she brings to her self-penned emotionally heart tugging songs. Many of her experiences in travel and relationships are reflected in song through her poignant and poetic lyrics. “I really related to the kaleidoscope of cultures that I gleaned from such cultural hubs like London, New York, Berlin and Poland,” says the songstress. The press has very much echoed in the accolades to her singles off the back of her forthcoming EP.



------ SONIA STEIN Interview--------

I’m sure this has been a hectic time for you with everything going on, so first, how are you doing?

I’m doing great thanks for asking ! It’s been hectic but I like being busy.

Before we even get into the music and career discussion, what do you do for fun? What does your down time look like?

For fun I like to watch films, cook food, dance, spend time in nature and with my friends (ideally at the same time).

What does a lazy day look like? A day where you’re not exactly out, you’re just home, maybe by yourself or with small company. What does that look like for you?

A lazy day involves sleeping in and having brunch at my fav spot. Then doing some self care rituals like breathwork and journaling, watching some entertaining tv, maybe embroidering while I do that. Love signing up to different workshops revolving around mediation/yoga/dance as well.

Now onto the music stuff...

Why the choice to release your album during NYFE and LFW?

I wish I had an interesting answer for you that made me sound very strategic and calculated but I have been releasing this EP single by single with a little bit of time in between each so they can all have a bit of spotlight. Just so happens the last ones came out around the fashion week season which ended up being a great way to promote the new songs while also going to some amazing shows.

So the EP is 5 songs, what’s the story you are trying to tell your fans as they listen to this project?

Each song is it’s own little universe to me and all recount me grappling with different ideas and situations in my life be it the beginning or end of a relationship, dealing with my own insecurities or trying to make sense of the political landscape. I think the main thing I’m doing is really just letting people into my internal world hoping that they can relate to the stories and feelings inside it.

So you’ve gotten public support from Dido and it’s appeared to help your streaming numbers quite a bit, what went through your mind as all of this was happening?

Yeah she has been so supportive while we were on tour together, really went above and beyond. I was just really grateful to not only be able to support her but feel so supported by her, it genuinely felt like she wanted me to succeed and get as much as I could out of the opportunity.

Do you have plans to work with any other artists that you can tell us about?

Right now I’m in the process of writing new songs and working with a lot of collaborators, new and old. Just going with the flow and seeing what makes the cut for the new release.

What’s one person you would love to work with, either on a track, or a video, or in any way?

I think my dream collaborator has always been Mark Ronson. It would be so sick to work on a song with him.

Your single, “passerby”, along with the music video, is supposed to represent the desire for an artist to both be seen and hidden. How do you find balance between those? If you haven’t, what do you think balance will look like?

Yeah the song is about the dichotomy of wanting to be appreciated and heard but not being comfortable with asking for the attention. Instead of trying to find balance between the two, I try to work on the part of me that’s afraid to ask for what I want, that’s afraid of failure or what people will think of me.

How does touring affect that balance? It must make it somewhat hard to be hidden when you literally have to perform for crowds of people so often.

Honestly singing live in front of a captive audience is my favorite thing about what I do, and on stage I feel in control of my own narrative so the fear of anything else kind of goes away. I don’t need to promote or sell myself by talking, posting or sharing my numbers. I just get to do what I’m good at.

How do you get the creative juices flowing? Do you watch movies, listen to music? Does it just come to you?

I go through these long “downloading” periods when I’m not writing where my brain just registers things that happen around me and to me, in something I’ve watched or listen to. Then when I sit down to write one of those things kind of rises to the surface and makes itself known/demands to be looked at and written about.

As you’re performing and showcasing your music, what is it that you want your fans to take away? What’s the message that, if they only listen to this project, you want them to take away?

Lyrically the message in most of my songs is to kind of look at things from all angles and to really evaluate the role you play in the situations you end up in. But I think the feeling I get after seeing artists I love play live is just that: a feeling. Of excitement, of fullness, of being inspired or moved. If I can make anyone feel something of that nature I’ll be happy.

As you’re telling your story, are you thinking of the next story you want to tell? What does that story look like even in this early stage?

I think of songs as these little snapshots in time, they represent a very specific emotion and time. They come at me when I can’t keep them in anymore, it’s a way to release and to express myself. So usually when I’m writing one song it’s impossible for me to think of the next one. I just kind of trust that things will happen to me that will end up being part of the next story I want to tell.

What makes you happy and drives you to keep creating and giving to the world?

I think what drives me to keep creating is some sort of inexplicable urge that’s always been there. What makes me happy ... so many things to be grateful for but I think the feeling of growth and expansion make me feel excited and happy.

Lastly, We can talk about how you would like the fans to receive your music, but after the show ends, and the curtains close, what do you want that allows you to say “I’m happy with all of my choices and I’m happy that this is what I’m doing?

I think my wish would be for listeners to receive the music with an open mind and no expectations and hopefully be moved and excited by what they hear. I think I can never be happy with ALL of my choices but i can try to accept them and move on, maybe vowing to make different ones in the future. So yeah what I want is to cultivate that ability to accept whatever comes. - TWELV

Fresh off a grueling, sold out world tour with the globally acclaimed artist Dido comes London-based pop-songstress Sonia Stein with her new EP See Me Now. The five-track album showcases Sonia’s songwriting and extensive vocal range that fans have come to love. Many of her experiences in travel and relationships are reflected in song through her poignant and poetic lyrics. “I really related to the kaleidoscope of cultures that I gleaned from such cultural hubs like London, New York, Berlin and Poland,” she says.

Sonia is here with the music video for her newest single, Passerby– produced by longtime collaborator Liam Howe (Adele, FKA Twigs, Jessie Ware). When asked about the song Sonia states, “Passerby is about the dichotomy between wanting to be seen and wanting to hide as an artist. The constant clash between introvert and extrovert and the way that it holds me back. It’s about wanting to be appreciated without having to ask for attention (love me as a passerby).” And oh can one appreciate this video. The title words “see me now” repeating in <Passerbyties everything together like a neat bow. Sonia’s sound is how I envision an Ellie Goulding cover of the iconic My Booby Alicia Keys to sound – sitting somewhere between the indie-rock sounds of LP, electropop R&B similar to that of Halsey, and a look reminiscent of Amy Winehouse. Well-balanced and unique.

Following all the accolades, Sonia will be taking her music and androgenous Twin Peaks-meets-hippie witch style to the likes of the elite in fashion as she sits front row at some of the best New York and London Fashion Week shows. The artist is here to share some of her favorite fashion staples in anticipation of these events.

Vintage White Lace Top
I found this top at a vintage shop that sold mostly furniture; I bought it and it quickly became a staple for my stage outfits. I love a super feminine blouse with a prince style ruffle, and I like to pair it with a more masculine jacket/trousers and this one is perfect.

Vintage Escada Blazer
This has been my most used go-to for performances since I found it at a vintage shop three years ago. If you scroll through my insta you’ll be able to see I wear this all the time. It has these amazing embellishments on the collar and back that kind of make it feel like a matador jacket and it’s the perfect amount of oversized. When wearing something oversized (because I’m so petite) I always walk a fine line between looking cool and like I borrowed something that doesn’t really fit me from an older sibling. Because of the super structured shoulder pads on this, it always looks great and makes me feel powerful!

Florence Bridge Furry Jacket
This is a jacket I borrowed from UK based designer Florence Bridge. She is committed to using no plastic fibers and sourcing everything ethically and locally to keep her carbon footprint low which I love. This jacket completes every look and will also keep me warm while still looking good.

Vintage Leather Jacket with Hand Drawn Design

It took me years to find a second hand leather jacket that has that super cropped feel and this one came to me at a vintage shop in Bath [Somerset, England]. I bought it immediately and later as a birthday present, my boyfriend who is an artist, drew the design of the Thousand Hand bodhisattva on the back. She is a Chinese deity known as “the one who perceived the sounds of the world.”

Vintage Men’s Robe
Speaking of my boyfriend, this robe is something I borrowed from him. He is a pretty flamboyant dresser and has a large collection of amazing patterned things. It’s huge on me which means I can wear it as a jacket over full outfits and it looks amazing. I love wearing it over a really simple, chic look to give it a bit of color and character.

Furry Hat
This is the last thing I picked up before heading off to New York. I’m always on the hunt for hats that have a bit of a sense of humor and take my more serious outfits and make them a little more fun and interesting. This one is perfect because it’s black so remains kind of subtle, it’s really warm, and has the bucket hat shape that feels a bit more like street wear. I’ll probably try to wear this with everything and will have to stop myself. - Lady Gunn

Dancing between being an introvert or extrovert as an artist is something London-based singer Sonia Stein knows all too well. It’s that craving for appreciation without all the attention and is the root of her latest single, “Passerby,” from her upcoming EP See Me Now.

Even though Stein just wants to be a passerby, her recent world tour with DIDO, pushed the soulful pop artist into another scope, including an uptick of Spotify followers and more than six million YouTube views capturing some of the essence of the singer’s captivating performances.

Working with longtime producer Liam Howe (Adele, Lana Del Rey, Ellie Goulding), See Me Now, Stein’s second release since debut One of Those Things in 2017, showcases the singer’s poetic lyrics telling her stories of travel and relationships through tracks like first single dance-y, R & B-fused “London Used to Feel So Cool,” or the more soul-pop-fusion of “Coexist.”

Taking new single “Passerby” in a different direction, Stein stripped it down to acoustic—something she also did to transform previous, See Me Now single “London Used to Feel So Cool”—revealing a more delicate build, blanketed by the lush fragility of her vocals through lyrics Watch me but don’t look right at me / From the corner of your eye / I don’t know why, don’t want to ask you for it /Love me as a passerby.

“Every song I write begins with just a piano and vocals so coming back to playing it like this after the produced song already exists is always special,” Stein tells American Songwriter. “The song is about the dichotomy of wanting to be seen/heard/understood but not wanting to show myself or ask for attention. It also explores how comparing myself to others has been holding me back.” - American Songwriter