Too often, I’ll be listening to new music and be quickly turned off by the overly produced slop. Too many artists have their creative process taken away from them and aren’t able to make the music they feel is best. Well, that’s exactly why myself and over 400,000 Spotify listeners listen to Sophia Stel.

While the old guard of the music industry is still trying to figure out what can sell, Sophia is busy building a cult following from her bedroom. She’s the perfect example of the new Vancouver sound, it’s moody, it’s a little bit weird, and feels perfect for late night in Vancouver.

What makes Sophia different from your average “TikTok artist” is the depth of the music. Her EP “How to Win At Solitaire” dropped late last year and it completely shifted the vibe of the local scene. It’s got this haunted warmth to its songs that feel like they’re glitching out one second and then hitting you with a massive pop hook the next.

But it’s not just about the songs, it’s the whole aesthetic. She pioneered this thrift shop fashion trend look that has every indie kid in the city hitting up the Value Village trying to copy her style. Even the big UK magazines like Wonderland are starting to take notice, calling her one of the “Wonders to Watch” for 2026.

She commonly plays at the Fox Cabaret, and the energy in the room is different than a typical indie show. It’s not just people standing around with their arms crossed, it’s a community of fans who feel like they’ve discovered a secret.

In an industry that can sometimes feel a bit cold and corporate, artists like Sophia Stel are making uncool cool.