Melbourne songwriter Sophia J Smith is rapidly turning local intrigue into national presence. Navigating the delicate space between the crisp hooks of modern pop and the organic warmth of golden-era songwriting, Smith has spent the last few years quietly hardening her craft. That dedication peaked just days ago on Wednesday 24 June, when she treated a packed crowd at The Espy’s Basement to an intimate, celebratory look at her latest chapter.
Today marks the official arrival of that vision in the form of her striking new single, 'Tell Them'. The track lands as a bittersweet meditation on the moment someone lets you go, still expecting you'll come back. It is a finely tuned slice of indie-pop that trades post-breakup regret for self-preservation.
"'Tell Them' is about making the difficult decision to leave someone's life and choosing not to return," Sophia explains. "Through the repeated line 'yeah tell them I'm gone,' leaving becomes an act of quiet liberation rather than loss - an acknowledgement that some people don't simply leave you, they lose you."
Produced alongside Lola Scott and Andy Mak at the renowned Grove Studios, the track builds a clever sonic bridge. Ethereal, layered backing vocals anchor the opening moments before giving way to grittier instrumentals that swell and drive the narrative forward. It is a deliberate evolution, mirroring the transition from heavy reflection to something entirely steelier.
“At its core, this track is about freedom. It holds the harsh truth of walking away and discovering that choosing yourself is sometimes the only way forward,” says Sophia.
Listeners will easily spot the dual influences anchoring her sound. There is the emotionally raw, guitar-driven intimacy found in the music of modern icons like Phoebe Bridgers and Sam Fender, yet it feels deeply tethered to a sepia-toned world of analogue warmth, crackling vinyl, and the timeless architectures of Fleetwood Mac or Bruce Springsteen.
Ever since her 2022 breakout track ‘Old Friend’ caught the ears of triple j Unearthed High, Smith has steadily cemented her reputation on Melbourne’s live circuit, playing staple venues from Fed Square to the Northcote Social Club and The Tote. Working with heavyweight producers like Scott Horscroft and Andy Mak has allowed her to scale up these intimate ideas into grand studio statements. While she currently juggles her final years of university, this release kicks off a highly ambitious 2026 rollout.
'Tell Them' is available to stream now on all major platforms. Keep up with Sophia J Smith's upcoming 2026 releases by following her on Instagram and TikTok.
