Sofie Royer's forthcoming album, "Before/After," is being highlighted for its smart and witty compositions. The album features songs that incorporate diverse cultural references, from film-making terminology in the track "Actress" to a recreation of a Sam Shepard play in the lead single "Cowboy Mouth."
Royer, who studied philosophy, psychology, and English, infuses her music with erudition and a keen sense of humour. Her cosmopolitan sound blends genres such as Italo disco, new wave, and garage rock, drawing on figures from Andrei Tarkovsky to Kenneth Anger.
The 35-year-old artist, born in the US to Austrian and Iranian parents, has an extensive musical background, including conservatoire training in violin. Despite her peers' admiration, leading to support slots for artists like Lana Del Rey and LCD Soundsystem, Royer addresses her relative lack of mainstream financial success on the new album.