In an era overflowing with cookie-cutter pop, SOZI emerges like a wildflower in concrete—vivid, resilient, and unmistakably singular. The LA-born singer, songwriter, producer, and engineer isn’t just adding her voice to the conversation; she’s rewriting the language entirely. Her debut EP, BLOOM, released on March 28, 2025, is more than a collection of songs—it’s a manifesto of rebirth, a soul-deep exploration of time, healing, and radical self-liberation. But before we dive into the artistry of BLOOM, it’s crucial to understand the mosaic that is SOZI.
From performing at iconic LA venues like The Peppermint Club, Viper Room, and Hotel Cafe, to taking stages coast-to-coast at events like SXSW’s 2023 The Meeting Web3 Event in Austin and New York’s Rockwood Music Hall, SOZI has built a reputation not just for her luminous voice, but for her genre-blurring, heart-forward performances. Her breakout single, “Never Fade,” which first resonated with audiences during Season 5 of Netflix’s Love Is Blind, solidified her as an artist of emotional precision and widescreen pop ambition. The track’s long run on the HRDRV Top 10 Charts and her accolades—including Best New Artist and Song of the Year nominations at the HRDRV Awards 2023 and 2024—are a testament to her creative gravity.
Yet accolades are only one side of the coin. SOZI is also a pioneering force behind the scenes—engineering, producing, and co-mixing her own work. Her recognition extends into the tech world, too: she led a Billboard 500 Club Mentor Session on home producing, won awards for Most Unique Song and Best Production over an Acapella Track, and became a Brand Ambassador for will.i.am’s FYI: Focus Your Ideas app. Collaborations with innovators like Shure, Beyerdynamics, and Splice further reveal a creator who is as fluent in technology as she is in melody.
All of that momentum flows into BLOOM, the first in a four-part seasonal EP series. Conceptually rooted in spring, the project encapsulates growth, courage, and the soft reckoning that comes with stepping into your fullest self. Crafted entirely by SOZI—written, self-produced, and co-mixed—the four-song set is a tightly knit emotional arc that unfolds like a diary whispered in a field of wildflowers. It’s a coming-of-age soundtrack that meets listeners right where they are—whether at the beginning of a chapter or the messy middle of transformation.
Opening track “Seconds” hits the ground running with an energetic tempo and subtle electronic flourishes that frame a lyrical meditation on time and self-trust. The line “the best years of my life… can’t you see it?” lands like a punch to the heart, particularly for listeners who’ve wrestled with the fear of wasted time. The production shimmers without overshadowing the vocals, showcasing SOZI’s intuitive sense of balance. It’s a crystalline introduction to the sonic ecosystem she’s constructed.
Next comes “Fall Away,” a track that vibrates with both urgency and tenderness. There’s an Amy Winehouse-esque strength in the vocal delivery, paired with moments of airy vulnerability reminiscent of artists like Dodie Clark. “I think it’s time to heal now,” she sings, and suddenly, healing doesn’t feel passive—it feels brave. The song dares listeners to consider what parts of themselves they might need to release in order to grow. The layered harmonies and shimmering synth accents breathe depth into the track, offering a lush backdrop for lyrical introspection.
The third track, “Just For a Minute,” captures the chaos of modern existence with a rhythmic vocal that mimics the breathless pace of overthinking. It’s the most introspective cut on the EP, asking quietly urgent questions about mental stillness and personal escape. There’s a beautifully crafted tension between the song’s propulsion and its yearning for pause, which mirrors the very paradox it seeks to express. It’s a sonic exhale—delicate, restless, and heartbreakingly human.
Finally, we arrive at “Set Me Free,” a triumphant, synth-tinged pop anthem that pulses with reclamation. The keyboard sparkles with a bright energy, the beat drives with purpose, and SOZI’s voice soars with the sophistication of someone who’s found the courage to stop shrinking. The track feels like a declaration—not just of independence, but of artistic intent. It calls to mind the maturity and pop craftsmanship of rising stars like Emily James, while remaining distinctly, unmistakably SOZI. The way the track builds—layer by layer—to a crescendo of conviction is breathtaking. It’s not just a song; it’s a closing statement to a story of selfhood.
What sets BLOOM apart isn’t just its impeccable songwriting or production—it’s the depth of its authorship. In an industry that still underrepresents women behind the console, SOZI is a powerful symbol of self-sufficiency. She doesn’t just write the songs—she builds them, engineers them, brings them to life with a clarity of vision that is all too rare. For women in music looking to expand their roles into producing and engineering, SOZI is not just a role model—she’s a roadmap.
To celebrate the EP’s release, SOZI curated The Bloom Experience, a lush afternoon tea event at Madeline Garden in Pasadena. With acoustic performances, harp and guitar accompaniment, and thoughtfully crafted high tea fare, the event was less of a launch party and more of an immersive journey into the world of BLOOM. Gift bags, creative community, and a palpable sense of renewal made it clear: this wasn’t just about the music. It was about the movement. It was about making space for vulnerability and connection, and honoring the quiet strength it takes to bloom.
By the end of BLOOM, one thing becomes unmistakably clear—blooming isn’t about perfection. It’s about process. It’s about surrendering to the rhythm of your own evolution and trusting that, no matter how tangled the path, you’re growing in the right direction. These songs aren’t just tracks on a playlist; they’re milestones in a larger journey of becoming.
As SOZI asks in “Seconds”: “I wish I knew if I was on the right track.” The truth is, we all do. And through BLOOM, she gives us the soundtrack to find peace in that not-knowing. With raw honesty and crystalline craft, she invites listeners to embrace transformation—not as a goal, but as a way of life.
BLOOM is a must-listen for fans of introspective, emotionally intelligent pop. If you love artists who bring both vulnerability and vision to the table—this is for you. Press play, open up, and let yourself bloom. Follow SOZI on all platforms, stream BLOOM, and be part of the movement.
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