Hungry for Something Dark and Deep? Taste Sofia Isella’s “Dog’s Dinner”
Photo via Sofia Isella
On today’s musical menu: An appetizer of snares layered underneath howling electric guitar and techno distortion, an entrée of whispered slam-poetry cadence lyrics, all tied together with a dessert of a deliciously curated grunge aesthetic. If that sounds appetizing, look no further than Sofia Isella’s new single “Dog’s Dinner” to satisfy your craving.
Unafraid to explore the dark side of love and desire, “Dog’s Dinner” highlights the ferocity of intimacy and the tension between physical vulnerability and exploitation—”You're panting like a canine, I make noise like I'm on / It'd be romantic if it were, if that's what it was.”
The musician, who first broke out in 2023 with her single “Hot Gum” that has been streamed over 13 million times, is a self-proclaimed slut for words. Her poignant lyrics about technology, objectification, and autonomy paired with her hybrid sound—a pop-rock-classical-techno Human Centipede that integrates her talents as a producer, guitarist, pianist, and violinist—evoke a dystopian feel. Isella’s unflinching commentary about the female experience is both relatable and enviably cool. Listening to her tracks as a female audience member feels like sharing a secret: “Only a woman has seen everything and must act like shе's seen nothing.”
In the track’s lyric video, Sofia Isella sings underneath the weight of a lover who switches between sweet pleading like a dog begging for table scraps and his desire so ravenous it bites the hand that feeds. The monotone, nightmarish visuals are characteristic of Isella, who is known for her captivatingly unsettling aesthetic that extends to her live performances. On stage, her contortions as she plays violin mimic possession. It’s no wonder she has an eye for such a well-curated aesthetic; her father has an Academy Award in cinematography, so it seems that visual talent runs in the family. Isella has used her distinctive, grungy aesthetic to expand the universe of her music and deepen the cynical themes behind the songs.
“Dog’s Dinner” follows the artist’s 2024 EP ‘I Can Be Your Mother.’ In 2024, she was an opening act for Taylor Swift’s " THE ERAS TOUR at Wembley Stadium and supported Melanie Martinez at Madison Square Garden. Isella is back on the tour circuit this year, recently announcing her first full U.S. headlining tour YOU’LL UNDERSTAND, DICK, a nod to the “Dog’s Dinner” lyrics “You’ll understand dick and loneliness when you’re filled with both.” The tour includes festival performances at Bonnaroo and Boston Calling, and the ticket general sale starts on January 31.
Check out Sofia Isella’s YOU’LL UNDERSTAND, DICK tour dates, and if “Dog’s Dinner” has you hungry for more, find her music here.
