"I try to set a positive example" Interview with soap

"I’m soap, legally known as Sophie. I’m 21. At 18, I moved out of my family home for the very first time. I lived in Catania for a year and a half, and then relocated to Milan. Right now, I'm back in Rome". This is how soap introduces herself. A rising star across the Italian and international music scenes, fresh off the back of her singles Sophie and Cigarette, she is now dropping a new album titled Sensible, out everywhere on November 6. Here is what she told us.

Interview with soap on her new album

The record opens with "Sophie," your given name, while your artist moniker is soap. This first track sounds almost like a pact. Who is protecting whom between the two?

Most likely, soap protects Sophie, who is still fundamentally me, my most personal, human, and vulnerable side. Soap has broader shoulders; she is far more ready to put herself out there on certain things.

The album was produced between Italy and France. How much did that change of scenery influence the sound? Is there a track where you can distinctly feel the French approach?

It was my very first time working in a French studio, and it felt great to collaborate and take in different perspectives. Truth be told, I hear that French sonic signature across all the tracks, but one that really speaks seamlessly to that audience is Ma bebè. it has a very radio-friendly, distinctly French chorus. I think it will resonate just as well here in Italy.

What can you express in French that feels too exposed or heavy in Italian, and vice versa?

I used to turn to French to articulate things that didn't come as easily in Italian. In this project, however, I leaned into French from a slightly more aesthetic angle. I pushed myself to say in Italian the very things I previously only voiced in French, digging deeper within myself while also making my message more accessible to an Italian audience. The textures remain French, even more so than in the past, though those influences were already there. I expanded and diversified them with an elegance that adds genuine value to the songs.

Throughout the record, you unpack love and its flip side—situationships, ghosting, and spiraling anxieties. Why do you think we are so terrified today of letting the other person know how much we care?

Today, I see far less willingness to work through a relationship when things get messy. Within reason, of course. There is this persistent mindset that someone else should effortlessly fulfill all our needs, when the truth is that we are all flawed human beings. We don't commit to making things work anymore; we tend to move on, pull away, and hope there will always be more options, banking on finding something more satisfying among them.

Your identity and sexual orientation come through in your lyrics without grand slogans, woven naturally into daily life. Was that an intentional choice?

I come from a family of six, five of whom are women, myself included. Femininity has simply always been part of my everyday world, no matter what. Talking about women feels completely natural to me, because my earliest connections were with women. I’ve been exclusively surrounded by women since I was a kid. It’s entirely spontaneous and intuitive; I'm simply describing my lived experience, and I don't see it as anything out of the ordinary.

When you chose to title the record Sensible, were you at all worried that this transparency might be mistaken for an affectation?

I really dislike long titles. When I settled on this one - which came right down to the wire after searching for over a year - my only worry was that people might view it as too heavy-handed. Personally, I don't see this as a heavy record. It delves into themes that certainly can be, but I strive to approach them in a way that is deep without being overwhelming.

How do you live with the idea of serving as a mirror for others while you're still figuring out who you are? Do you feel that weight of responsibility?

I definitely feel it. So many people reach out to tell me that my music supports them through tough patches in their lives, that it helps them understand themselves better. I'm always cautious about saying the wrong thing, something that might feel true to me but could hit someone else the wrong way. Ultimately, though, I always try to stay sincere and speak from personal experiences that might actually help others. I try to set a positive example, despite being so young. I really do try.

What does the future hold for you? Will we be seeing you live?

You will definitely see me on stage, especially heading into 2027, but there are already a couple of live dates lined up this November during Music Week, from November 16 to 22 in Milan. I'd definitely recommend staying tuned on Instagram and social media for updates. A full tour in 2027 would be incredible, both to play my older tracks and to bring the new record to life.