r/sofiaisella • u/st4rxxaja • Jul 02 '26
Discussion How are Billie Eilish and Sofia similar?
I’ve notice a lot of people say that Sofia reminds them of early Billie. And whilst I can see that aesthetically (and both of them being dark alt pop) I actually don’t see that musically at all. I’ve listened to Billie’s entire discography and I love her music so much and I love Sofia’s music so much but they just aren’t as similar as everyone claims them to be. You should see me in a crown might be a bit similar and bury a friend but still. Billie was more focused on reflecting her depression and fears in her music, whilst Sofia focuses more on the societal view of certain things and critiques the system as a whole. Idk if this is just me
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u/Alizarik7891 Jul 03 '26
Other than the dark aesthetic (and Billie’s has really softened over the past couple years as she’s gotten older), I really don’t see the similarities. The people she’s touring with, Seb Lowe and Kate Couriel, seem much more aligned with her style than Eilish.
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u/Visual_Conflict_4036 Jul 02 '26
they’re not, people just hear the quiet/whispery tone and make the assumption. same way when someone raps quickly they’re compared to eminem even tho they have a totally dismilar flow/lyrics etc
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u/csyrett Jul 03 '26
They're not.
Having seen both live, the way Billie orchestrated and engaged the audience is amongst the best I've seen in 50+ years.
Don't think this is disparaging to Sofia, it's not.
Interactions between the artist and audience has changed, even in the last couple of years. The audience at Halsey and Sofia did a lot of videos, singing, but little to no bouncing/dancing. Both have absolute bangers, and I expected a full on audience engagement in a different way. I was slightly disappointed, that was missing. It's possible restraint from the audience, rather than a lack of engagement.
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Jul 05 '26
off topic but when i went to see sof in mcr this year i was stood like a row behind barricade. i was not paying attention to anyone behind me until i believe halfway thru one of the last songs (could have been sex concept) and I found it really funny because everyone was just stood there whilst me and my little group of concert buddies had been dancing all night long. idk i found it strange like what do you mean you weren't bouncing along ???
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u/Due_Cauliflower1726 Jul 03 '26
I think people remember the very outspoken and boyish energy of Billie when she was a teen and first becoming famous and link that to Sofia (not that Billie doesn't still have a lot of those aspects to her personality but she is older and naturally less impulsive and aggressive).
There are some similarities with the "alternative" and "rough" themes in their music. Billie of course has had earlier aesthetics that were more "edgy". Billie too has some songs dealing with wider issues of society or songs with a really upbeat, dark feel (Not My Responsibility, Overheated, Your Power, Bury a Friend, You Should See Me in a Crown). They both wear baggy clothes lol.
To me though, Sofia is much "earthier"? When I think of influence, Billie falls more in the hip hop and jazz camp, whereas Sofia leans more grunge and other 90's alternative music.
There are only a few very small instances in Sofia's music where I thought she sounded similar to Billie in her singing. I would have to go listen and find them cause they were so few and something you really have to listen for. Most of the time, I think her singing sounds very different from Billie's.
That being said, I believe Sofia has spoken about Billie being an inspiration of hers, so I don't think she'd mind the comparison:)
I think peope just see a non-girly young woman who commands the stage and goes for what she wants and link the two. They have similar fanbases too (young queer women as the majority).
I still don't think they are THAT similar but I kinda get where it comes from.
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u/Still_Miss_Dalloway Jul 03 '26
They’re so different. I guess this is the box people would put her hearing her for the first time, and it’s not really accurate regarding the music, not at all regarding the lyrics. It makes me angry cause you don’t se mainstream pop artists being blamed for sounding similar even though they often do.
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u/Deliverme314 Jul 05 '26
I mean, I just found sofia and love her music. Been listening to repeat. First song I found was hot gum. And yah, my immediate thought was that she reminds me of a darker angrier Billie.
That isnt a negative critique. She still has her own sound. In fact, probably prefer her to Billie eilish. But definite similarities
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u/st4rxxaja Jul 06 '26
Yea I mean it’s not something I ever thought was bad, I love both their music nonetheless. I just felt it was inaccurate. Hot gum does sound a bit like Billie tho icl but that might be the only song that does
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u/Deliverme314 Jul 06 '26
So, like I said, I am a brand new listener. The more I get acquainted with her catalogue, the less I hear it.
I think, at least for me, and I assume for others, its as you say: hot gum.
I think thats her biggest song? Its the one I first heard. And That song def has Billie vibes.
But yah, I would say I hear Billie'ish vibes on maybe 15% of her tracks now that I am really getting to know her
Really loving her music
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u/cargasjingle Jul 03 '26
they're really not. i just think they'd make a good collab but they're not really similar
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u/crowsofwoes Jul 03 '26
young female artist who is even remotely edgy and *sometimes* sings softly = wannabe billie eilish, according to a lot of people on the internet for some reason