Single out now: Sofi Paez - "Ocean"

Berlin-based Costa Rican pianist, singer and composer Sofi Paez releases “Ocean” today via OPIA Community, alongside the announcement of her second album, Bodies of Water arriving 25th September.

Following her 2024 debut album Silent Stories, Bodies of Water is a deeply personal body of work that uses water as both its central metaphor and emotional thread. Inspired by the landscapes of Iceland and shaped by experiences of grief, resilience, reflection and renewal, the album explores the different emotional landscapes of life through the qualities of water: its movement, stillness, unpredictability and resolve.

“Ocean” is a cinematic neo-classical piece that explores resilience through the vastness and duality of the sea. Written while reading Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea, the piece was inspired by the ocean’s immense beauty, unpredictability and quiet power.

Opening with a solitary piano bassline, “Ocean” gradually unfolds into expressive strings before reaching a hopeful, expansive climax. The emotional weight of the piece also draws from Sofi’s own experiences, transforming a period of anger and frustration into a reflection on perseverance and finding light through difficult moments.

“When I first heard the string arrangements played by real people it brought tears to my eyes,” says Sofi. “Nothing can compare to that feeling of hearing the music come alive in the room.”

“Ocean” follows “Waterfall” and “Pond” ( with Lara Somogyi), the first two releases from Bodies of Water, which introduced the album’s evolving exploration of water a s a metaphor for emotional experience.

Rooted in contemporary neo-classical composition while embracing ambient textures, voice and subtle electronic elements, Bodies of Water expands Sofi’s sonic world without losing the intimacy that defines her writing. Flowing piano motifs, expressive string arrangements and carefully layered production create immersive pieces that unfold with patience, inviting listeners into moments of reflection rather than resolution.

Written between Iceland and Berlin, the album features collaborations with Lara Somogyi, Miguel Murrieta Vásquez and Evan Gildersleeve. Bodies of Water marks Sofi's most ambitious work to date - carrying hope quietly through even its darker moments.

Bodies of Water is out 25th September via OPIA Community.

Tracklist:

1. Under

2. A Cove

3. Waterfall

4. Ocean

5. Oasis

6. Water

7. Pond (with Lara Somogyi)

8. River

9. Spring

10. Lake