Sophie, Who Set Boundaries for Pop Music, Dies

Sophie, the Grammy-nominated artist who pioneered a new sound in pop music, died Wednesday at age 34.

Introduction

Sophie Allison, better known as Soccer Mommy, was a rising star in the indie-rock world. She released her debut album, Clean, in 2018 to critical acclaim, and followed it up with the equally praised color theory in 2020. But it was her 2020 single, “ Circle the Drain ,” that catapulted her into the mainstream and made her an undeniable force in pop music.

With its catchy hooks and relatable lyrics about toxic relationships, “Circle the Drain” was an instant hit, garnering millions of streams on Spotify and climbing to No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song helped make Soccer Mommy one of the most talked-about new artists of the year and cemented her status as a pop singer to watch.

But while Soccer Mommy was embraced by the mainstream pop world, she always maintained her indie roots. In interviews, she spoke candidly about her struggles with anxiety and depression, and she often used her platform to promote mental health awareness. She also spoke out against sexism in the music industry, calling out double standards and gender bias.

In December 2020, at just 25 years old, Sophie Allison died unexpectedly in her sleep. The cause of death was not immediately made public, but her passing sent shockwaves through the music world. She was survived by her parents and sister.

Soccer Mommy was a talented musician with a promising future ahead of her. She will be remembered for her honest songs about young love and heartbreak, as well as her advocacy for mental health awareness and women’s rights.

Early life and career

Sophie Xeon, a pop musician who challenged norms around gender and sexuality in the music industry, died on Saturday at the age of 34.

The Scottish-born artist, who used they/them pronouns, first gained attention in 2013 with the release of the single “Bipp,” a clubby track with a disorienting, minimalist drop. The song was included on Sophie’s debut album, “Product,” which arrived that year.

In the years that followed, Sophie released a string of critically acclaimed singles and EPs that further explored themes of identity and self-acceptance. Among them were “MSG” (2015), “It’s Okay to Cry” (2017) and “Faceshopping” (2018).

Sophie also collaborated with Charli XCX on the mixtape “Pop 2” (2017) and with Madonna on the album “Madame X” (2019).

The cause of death was not immediately disclosed. A representative for Sophie said they did not want to comment at this time.

Musical style and themes

Sophie Xeon, a Grammy-nominated pop musician who achieved prominence for her innovative and boundary-pushing work in the early 2010s, died on Saturday at the age of 34.

The musician, born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1986, first came to public attention with the release of her single “Bipp” in 2013. The song, which samples the sound of a bouncing ball, was hailed as a genre-defying track that merged pop, electronic and experimental music.

Sophie went on to release a number of other singles and two studio albums—“Product” (2015) and “Oil of Every Pearl’s Un-Insides” (2018)—that continued to explore music’s possibilities, often through the use of unconventional sounds and textures. In 2019, she collaborated with American singer-songwriter Maddie Ziegler on the song “Faceshopping,” which earned her a Grammy nomination for best dance/electronic album.

Sophie also made headlines for her stage show, which featured radical props and visual effects—including an inflatable anal sex toy used during a performance at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards—and for her outspoken support of the LGBTQ community.

In a statement released on Sunday, Sophie’s record label said that she had died “following a sudden accident.” The cause of death was not immediately known.

Legacy

Sophie Xeon, a musician and producer who helped to redefine pop music by reconceptualizing how sound could be used in the genre, died on Wednesday at her home in Los Angeles. She was 34.

The cause was suicide, said a representative for Ms. Xeon’s label, Transgressive.

Ms. Xeon worked with some of the most successful pop performers of the past decade, including Charli XCX, Rihanna, Madonna, Vince Staples and more. But she was also celebrated for her own music, which often explored ideas of gender and identity.

Ms. Xeon’s death instantly sent shockwaves through the music world and beyond, with many fans and fellow musicians taking to social media to express their grief.

Discography

Sophie is the stage name of Scottish musician and producer Sophie Xeon (born 17 September 1986), best known for her work in the electronic music genre.

Sophie released her debut single “Bipp” in 2013, followed by the singles “Lemonade” / “Hard”, “Elle” / “Just Like We Never Said Goodbye”, and “It’s Okay to Cry”. In 2018, she won a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording for her single “Ponyboy”. Her debut album Oil of Every Pearl’s Un-Insides was released in 2018 to critical acclaim.

Sophie’s discography includes the following releases:

Singles:
-Bipp (2013)
-Lemonade / Hard (2013)
-Elle / Just Like We Never Said Goodbye (2014)
-It’s Okay to Cry (2017)
-Ponyboy (2018)

Albums:
Oil of Every Pearl’s Un-Insides (2018)