Sophia Thakur’s move into music arrives after years of shaping a distinct presence in British poetry. The BBC has referred to her as “The Poet of this Generation,” and Vogue has called her “one of the most adored poets of our time.”
She’s published four books, appeared on Forbes 30 Under 30, and built a live reputation through sold-out shows at The Jazz Café, Bush Hall, and Omeara, as well as performances at Glastonbury, Abbey Road Studios, and Royal Albert Hall.
Thakur introduced her musical direction with ‘My City’, a stripped-back alt-soul track built around voice, space, and personal transition. It was her first solo release and a clear signal that she was ready to carry her storytelling into a new medium. ‘Affirmations’ moves that approach forward. Recorded live with a five-piece band, it pushes deeper into the idea of documenting a moment rather than constructing one, prioritising interplay, presence, and the texture of the room.
What’s the story behind ‘Affirmations’ and how does it reflect where you are creatively right now?
Affirmations is an entirely live recording with 5 musicians in one room, jamming the song for almost an hour, before finding the perfect moment to bring the chorus and words in. Performing live with my musician friends has always been my happy place and Affirmations feels like that, on record.
Creatively I just really want to bring the magic of live performance onto a record. To create a world people can get lost in for a little while. With affirmations, that world is one of bliss, encouragement, hope and tranquility. The world that we deserve to be in as we close out 2025.
In a time of constant noise, how can artists create work that actually makes people feel something again?
I think the living is just as important as the making. I've created so many songs, but I'll probably only ever share the ones that reflect a deeply honest and human experience. People need to feel seen and held and I think a song is a perfect opportunity to hold a mirror up to a person and say 'look, I go through these things too'. I. hope my music can connect the world.
As someone who mentors young writers and performers, what’s one discipline or creative habit you think every artist should cultivate early on?
I can't think of anything better than journaling. Learning how to slow down our thoughts, understand them, explore them...that's how we can arrange powerful stories in our songs. From a clear mind that knows how to explore a feeling.
There are so many distractions these days and when I'm not journaling, I struggle to focus with the level of clarity that I think music deserves.
I would advise that everyone journals but also reads new books. Books give us new language, new imaginations, new feelings and new storylines. It's a cheat code to being a songwriter really.
You’ve said your goal is to make music you’d listen to at sunset. What does stillness mean to you creatively, and how do you protect it in a busy world?
Coming from a poetry background, it's meant that I'm used to complete, pin-drop, undivided attention during a performance. That acute level of focus from an audience has meant that often times, they're brought to tears or moved in such deep ways. That space of stillness has always been my favourite arena to perform into so I'm trying to do the same with music.
Affirmations has a long musical intro and outro and it's for this very reason. To slow people down, ground them and hopefully create a fertile heart to take in the verse and chorus.
What keeps you grounded?
I'm human, so I'm not grounded all the time. To be honest, I'm helplessly sensitive and wildly passionate so that can sometimes be derailing.
To come back to my centre, I carve out time for the things that bring me peace and remind me of my greater purpose. I pray to Jesus a lot, for a peaceful mind and happy heart.
I make sure to stretch or exercise and also stay around people who keep my nervous system at peace
What’s your best tip for finding creativity on a tough day?
I would say for me, going back to things that previously inspired me. Back to old books, old films or songs that used to spark something. Sometimes lightning does strike twice!
What’s your favourite and least favourite thing about making music?
I love that music is basically our own, hand selected soundtrack to life and special moments. I guess the downside is that it also then, carries memories. There are some songs I can't listen to just yet because they carry a memory of a person who has maybe passed away.
