“I was reflecting just the other day,” Sophie Ellis-Bextor shares in her charming cut-glass accent, “on how music is the only art form where you constantly revisit different stages of your life.”
Riding high on a full-fledged revival after 'Murder on the Dancefloor' achieved global success last year—thanks in part to its prominent feature in the cult film Saltburn—Ellis-Bextor returns with a dazzling new album filled with disco hits. The album is cleverly titled Perimenopop, subtly referencing her age, outlook, and her role as a mother of five who can still deliver an unforgettable hook.
And I had the pleasure of chatting with her for about an hour over Zoom about all these topics.
—
—
Hey Sophie Ellis-Bextor! ‘Perimenopop’ is a fantastic title, great job.
Thank you! While writing it, I wanted something that felt celebratory and brought my age into the discussion positively. It started as a joke between my girlfriend Hannah and me in the studio, and then it just kind of stuck. I’m proud of it. I enjoy aging. There are many aspects of it that I really appreciate.
What brings you joy these days?
My family. Music. And rides.
Rides, really?
My all-time favorite ride is Tower Of Terror at Disney World. There's another one at Thorpe Park called Stealth. I also really like Oblivion at Alton Towers. There's a song on the new album, 'Relentless Love,' that uses rides as a metaphor. This was on my mind because last year was quite a rollercoaster after what happened with the Saltburn soundtrack. It felt like I was on a carousel that kept spinning faster and faster.
Cracking the Billboard 100 after two decades—not too shabby.
I'm always flattered whenever someone wants to use my music in a film. The year before, a show called The Tourist with Jamie Dornan featured 'Murder on the Dancefloor' in a silly moment— a scene where a cop goes to the bathroom while singing along. I thought the Saltburn usage would be similar—a lighthearted reference. But it ended up being this major dark finale.
Did that change the nature of your audience?
Yes and no. There’s always been a lovely group of supporters no matter what I do. But even in the summer before Saltburn, I noticed the audience was getting a bit younger. 'Murder' has turned into a big festival moment. When I performed at the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury in 2023, people were setting off flares. That’s quite a compliment! That someone would carry a flare around all day just to launch it for my song.
So you’re not the type of artist who secretly dislikes their big hit from 20 years ago?
No, I don’t relate to that. I’ve tried many different things in my career, and I don’t always hit the mark. But one thing I’ve consistently done is to create music I can feel good about. I’m on friendly terms with everything I’ve released.
—
—
In the notes for the single 'Dolce Vita,' you mentioned envisioning a ‘person with a criminal past going abroad.’ I love that insight into your writing process.
I'm quite visual. I enjoy picturing a mood or an aesthetic. I find it compelling to think of songs as scripts, which means that every time I perform them, I need to embody that character.
So, is there an entire Sophie Ellis-Bextor cinematic universe filled with these characters?
The best writing sessions are the ones where I can already visualize the video. You create a little world, and that helps unleash the rest of it. In my perspective, you could write about anything—which can feel overwhelming.
'Stay On Me' is a great track; what’s the story behind it?
Initially, it was much more flirty. But like every song on Perimenopop, I wanted it to reflect my reality. And look—I just celebrated my 20th wedding anniversary (with Richard, the bassist from The Feeling)—so I thought the song should capture the beauty of a long relationship. It’s about going out while still feeling like, “I think you’re amazing—I’m so glad you’re coming home with me.”
While preparing for this interview, I came across 'Wanderlust,' one of the albums you created in your 'indie trilogy' with Ed Harcourt. That’s a criminally underrated record; more people need to hear it.
Well, first off, thank you. Wanderlust is probably the album I'm most proud of. It was a bold move at the time. I had just left Universal after ten happy years. I was 34 and starting to feel too comfortable, so I said, "No, I can’t have that." Ed and I decided to create a record without leaning on dance or disco, exploring a completely different
Chet Faker has released his latest single, 'Inefficient Love'. The artist, whose real name is Nick Murphy, recently returned with the track 'Far Side Of The Moon'.
A wonderfully satisfying album where it seems everything is perfectly positioned.
Muireann Bradley has expressed her thoughts on 'These Days'. The Irish guitarist was captivated by the song after listening to Nico's rendition, which was first recorded for
It seems that the most successful careers belong to artists who pursue their passions on their own terms. The gradual approach seems to be the most effective, focusing on producing each album to the best of your ability.
The Cords have released a new single titled 'When You Said Goodbye'. The band, consisting of sisters Eva and Grace Tedeschi, began their musical journey in childhood, and the duo's
Nemzzz is back with 'AP Freestyle'. This impressive new release is part of a year-long rollout from the Manchester rapper, who appears to be breaking streaming records.
"I was reflecting just the other day," Sophie Ellis-Bextor states in her delightful cut-glass accent, "on how music stands out as the only art form where you’re