“I never want to release a song and feel like it wasn’t really me”: Sofia Gillani on her evolving creative process

At just 17 years old, self-proclaimed avant-garde pop artist Sofia Gillani is already carving out her own space in the music world. From starring in the musical Evita at age nine, singing ‘Don’t Cry for Me Argentina’, to releasing her very first single at twelve, she’s spent nearly half her life immersed in music. Songwriting, producing, self-promoting and directing music videos – Sofia handles it all, independently. 

Drawing on early influences – spanning from Queen, Michael Jackson and Adele to PinkPantheress – her sound is ever-evolving. Her newest release, ‘Read Your Mind’, blends introspective lyrics with an upbeat garage beat, reflecting not only her bubbly taste, but also her musical maturity. “I rarely listen to really sad, everything's-gonna-go-downhill kind of music,” she says. “I think that reflects in my music. I want people to be able to relate to my music, whatever stage of life they’re in – but also in a fun way.”

That is exactly the spirit that infuses ‘Read Your Mind’ – a track that explores the complexities of platonic love, which Sofia feels is often overshadowed by romantic narratives. “Platonic love is honestly one of the few loves people fail to appreciate”, she says.

Rooted in her day-to-day reality of school as well as the music industry, the song captures the process of meeting new people, trying to understand them, and hoping to be understood in return, especially in what Sofia calls “a rocky time for the world”.

Sofia’s musical journey has been deeply personal from the start. The self-sufficiency of being an independent artist is surely not an easy feat, but for Sofia, it’s second nature. “I just want to make sure that the songwriting doesn’t feel rushed and still feels central to me.” Her commitment to authenticity at such a young age is astounding. “I never want to release a song and feel like it wasn’t really me,” she says.

Having taken her first steps in music so early on has sharpened her instincts: “Releasing my first single when I was so young really allowed me to develop a sort of musicality. Now I know exactly what I want to do with it – the melodies, harmonies, and what I want to stack on top. When I was younger, I was just doing things for the sake of it, thinking maybe something would come out of it. Now it’s a full process that I love.”

Ultimately, Sofia is driven by connection. ‘Read Your Mind’ is only one chapter in what promises to be a long, unfolding story–one that is musically vibrant, thoughtful, and relatable.

With her next single ‘Chains’ out now and a mini UK tour in the summer, Sofia Gillani is an artist steadily–and confidently–on the rise.

Sofia Gillani is touring the UK this summer. Her new single, 'Read Your Mind', is out now.