Brief
Sophia Stel talks pressure behind debut ‘The Greatest Album of All Time’
The 27‑year‑old reflects on early hardships, rapid success and the tongue‑in‑cheek title of her debut record.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Vancouver‑born pop artist Sophia Stel sat down with The Guardian in south London to discuss the pressure surrounding her debut LP, The Greatest Album of All Time. The interview, published on 13 October 2026, covers her early struggles, rapid rise and the meaning behind the album’s bold title.
What happened
Stel recalled her first visit to London, when she and a crush were forced to sleep on a doorstep after their Airbnb landlord locked the door and fell asleep. She said the experience showed her partner’s resilience and deepened her affection. Over the past year, Stel opened a business bank account as an artist, moved from odd‑job gigs to signing with A24’s record label, and supported Lorde on tour.
What the reports add
The Guardian notes that Stel’s TikTok‑driven breakout came with the single “I’ll Take It” last summer, followed by two EPs that blended Auto‑tuned vocals with hazy electropop. Her second EP, How to Win at Solitaire, was recorded in the basement of the Vancouver club where she worked. The outlet also reports that A24’s label signed her and that Lorde invited her to open shows, milestones that accelerated her profile.
What was said
Stel told the interviewer, “We hadn’t spent that much time together and I got to see how she was in a stressful situation… I knew I was so in love then.” She added, “It’s a lot of change, but maybe because of my Sagittarius moon, I’m fine with it to an extent.” On the album title, she explained, “I did not mean that… This is the type of pressure I’m trying to avoid!” She also said confidence is often discouraged in women, noting, “I think the universe rewards confidence, and sometimes as a girl, you’re not allowed to be as cocky.”
How it came about
Stel’s rise mirrors other recent breakout artists covered by Felo News, such as Grimes’ AI‑inspired single “Accelerando” (see Grimes releases AI‑inspired single) and Slayyyter’s self‑directed video for “I Think He’s Got a Girl” (see Slayyyter releases video). Like those artists, Stel leveraged viral platforms and high‑profile collaborations to transition from local gigs to international attention.
Key facts
- Sophia Stel’s debut LP is titled The Greatest Album of All Time. (theguardian.com)
- She first gained attention when her TikTok hit “I’ll Take It” went viral last summer. (theguardian.com)
- Stel signed with A24’s record label and supported Lorde on tour. (theguardian.com)
- She recorded the EP How to Win at Solitaire in the basement of a Vancouver club. (theguardian.com)
- Stel describes the album title as both tongue‑in‑cheek and a response to pressure on women to be less confident. (theguardian.com)
Sources
- [1] theguardian.com — originally reported as “‘Girls aren’t supposed to be cocky’: Sophia Stel on the pressure of writing The Greatest Album Of All Time”
