Sophia Bel presents the alternative country-influenced pop ballad, Lonely After Curfew. Written last winter when the Quebec government had instilled a mandatory curfew over the province, as its title suggests, the song, which explores fear of abandonment and codependency, follows the ultra-catchy and nostalgic pop-punk anthem 2AM (And I Did It Again), released last fall. Both singles will appear on Anxious Avoidant, the singer-songwriter and producer’s debut full-length, due out April 15th, 2022 via Bonsound. The album is now available for pre-order on vinyl, CD and digitally.
Lonely After Curfew’s melody comes together tenderly and results in a song in which Sophia Bel exposes the insecurities she can’t communicate to the object of her affections. Combining Y2K influences with the reality of modern-day dating, the single explores vulnerability in relationships, revealing a different side of Sophia’s talent and creativity. I always thought of myself as an independent person, but during this last year and a half I have come to realize that I was completely ill equipped to sit with myself and my emotions, she explains candidly. Lonely After Curfew is a product of my eagerness and lack of balance. It expresses questions, fear of abandonment and boredom.
Born during the pandemic, Anxious Avoidant is inspired by the colourful and playful sounds of the early 2000s. The album marks a stylistic progression in the career of the Montreal-based artist and producer, who, for the first time, composed her songs armed solely with her guitar. This new process influenced her writing style, and inevitably, the final outcome, offering a significant evolution from her first two EPs.
Anxious Avoidant is a vulnerable tale that gathers its force from Sophia Bel’s explosive energy, as she explores relationships and feelings while rocking to the music that influenced her teenage years. Produced by Sophia and Tim Buron, the album is filled with sweet ballads, empowering pop-punk anthems and melodic guitar riffs, but most importantly, a refreshing and creative approach to Y2K music. By breaking free from her fears and knocking down the walls that she had built, Sophia Bel is giving us a glimpse into her inner dialogues, ruminations and emotions. Anxious Avoidant is a personal diary, an open book that everyone can relate to.
Sophia Bel also announces a handful of live dates slated for the spring. She will be presenting Anxious Avoidant at The Baby G in Toronto on May 11th, at Bar L’Anti in Québec City on May 13th, and finally, she will perform at Foufounes Électriques in Montreal on May 25th. For more details and to get tickets, head over here.
About Sophia Bel
Under Sophia Bel’s shy demeanor and delicate voice, there’s an inviting, colourful and playful world waiting for people to dive into. Born in Michigan from a Québécois dad and a Dutch-American mom, Sophia has always found her path through music, from singing 90s classics when she was younger to now releasing her debut album. A real 90s kid, she grew up listening to pop divas, while dreaming of one day becoming a shining music star like them. Bullied at school for her looks, Sophia found an escape daydreaming about a future life as a singer. Figuring out music was her true calling when she was still a teenager, Sophia decided to take her career seriously and pursue her studies in music at Vanier College in Montréal, where she started an empowering path towards the artist she is today. Taking time for herself to recenter on the kind of music she wanted to make as an artist, Sophia Bel found herself going back to her roots, one that are heavily influenced by the fresh pop of the early 00s, by emo-rock, and pop-punk of yesteryears.
