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SOPHIA is an emerging alt-rock band from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The group consists of Jeffrey Michael Shroyer, Andrew McClamroch, Jett Stephens, Matthew Garmer, and Salem Reid. Vocalist Shroyer writes the words, and the music is mostly composed as a group. This band offers an energetic take on modern indie, with a strong focus on live performance and positive vibes. The music crafted by SOPHIA is delicate and focused, and it’s starting to get the recognition it deserves.
SOPHIA’s music is both raw and refined, which makes it hard to pigeonhole. While the Black Keys and Arctic Monkeys are pretty good reference points, their unique sound defies easy comparisons. You can certainly hear the delicate vocals of Jeff Buckley and Neil Young coming through, and there’s even elements of shoegaze and grunge if you listen hard enough. SOPHIA is pretty new on the US scene, having only released music since 2022. All of their recordings are self-released, and they regularly perform live shows across the country to a growing fan base.
In this article, we’ll review some of SOPHIA’s best recordings, from their fantastic debut EP Healing to their latest-and-greatest EP Wandering.
Music releases
SOPHIA met in their hometown of Winston-Salem, and before long, they were jamming with new song ideas. Their shared passion for music was a guiding light from the get-go, with the boys listening to many of the same indie bands from the grunge era. SOPHIA’s members also shared an adventurous musical spirit, with the group’s studio monitors and car speakers playing everything from classic rock to electronica and hip-hop.
SOPHIA released their first song “Empty Hands” in 2022, followed by “Memory” and “Sometimes” later that year. As they spent more time in the studio, they cemented a sound that felt both authentic and fresh. Later in 2022, the boys released their first EP, a five-track release called Healing. This EP didn’t feature their debut, but the other two singles were included along with “HVN,” “Move Again,” and “Rain.” This EP was fairly well received in local circles, and it helped the band to book more shows in North Carolina and beyond.
More singles were self-released in later years, including “Lately” in 2023 and “Angel” in 2024. “Nihilist” came out in 2024, “Days Like This” in 2025, and their second EP Wandering hit the airwaves later that same year. Wandering was SOPHIA’s most ambitious record to date, with their signature sound becoming more refined, energetic, and self-aware. This EP also had five tracks, with “Glass,” “Uh-Huh,” and “Wander” joining the previously released tracks “Days Like This” and “Nihilist.”
Healing, Including Memory and Sometimes
After releasing just three singles, SOPHIA was ready to extend their creative canvas. Healing starts off with “HVN,” a beautiful number about finding your way in a world that doesn’t care. As the vocalist croons “I don’t wanna cry no more, no more,” you can’t help but feel his pain and longing. Sung with feeling and played with delicate touches, this track is a lovely way to introduce the EP.
The second track on Healing is “Memory,” and it’s another delightful song with an emotional vibe. This song has a dreamy quality, which comes through in lyrics like “As far as the eye can see, And I ain’t seeing clearly, The faster you go, the slower you get away.” The third song “Move Again” builds from these intimate feelings, combining them with stuttered guitar licks for a classic rock feel.
The fourth track “Sometimes” takes things down a notch, with a beautiful acoustic guitar intro introducing the heartfelt lyrics: “But my heart is healing by the day, But only sometimes, Only sometimes, And I know we’re better off apart, But only sometimes, Only sometimes.” The final track “Rain” is the perfect way to close the EP, with a solid drum loop grounding guitar echoes and vocal questions as the energy rises ever higher.
Healing was a massive accomplishment for the band, who had worked countless hours in the studio to create something cohesive. SOPHIA put it best themselves, saying, “We are so grateful for this project and what it means to us. We could only dream that it would mean something to someone, and we’re so elated to know that it has resonated for more than just us five.”
Wandering, Including Nihilist and Uh-Huh
Sophia’s latest EP starts off with “Glass,” a crystalline track full of gorgeous atmospherics and delicate emotion. The sound of this EP shares many similarities with Healing, but the writing is better and the vibes definitely sit deeper in the soul. This track is the perfect introduction, and it certainly leaves you wanting more. The second track “Days Like This” switches things up, with the intro section delivered in spoken word as the atmosphere bubbles into a giant musical switch.
The third track on Wandering is “Nihilist,” which was also released as a single by the band in 2024. This track sees the band rocking, with a strong sense of attitude added to their typical intimacy. “Nihilist” is a great example of how much SOPHIA’s sound has progressed over their two EP releases. As Shroyer sings “what is wrong with me,” it’s easy to resonate with his anger and go along for the ride.
“Uh-Huh” is the fourth track from Wandering, and it’s also one of the best. SOPHIA shifts things again for this one, with groovy bass and drums changing pace every few bars to keep you on your toes. Some of the guitar and bass licks from this track wouldn’t be out of place on a Prince record — a long way from the understated acoustic vibes of the band’s early recordings. With its catchy, easy-to-remember refrain, this song is already a huge favorite at the band’s live shows.
The new EP ends with the song “Wander,” which functions as the perfect closer and title track. This song sees a return to SOPHIA’s soft and emotional sound, but it’s richer and warmer than previous recordings. Along with Shroyer’s beautiful vocals, the lush reverb and lo-fi drums create a memory just beyond the mundane. If SOPHIA continues on this strong trajectory, it’s only a matter of time before the world starts to take notice.
Discover More
If you want to learn more about this exciting young band, keep your eyes fixed on their social media. The boys are active on Instagram and TikTok, and their music can be easily found on Spotify and other streaming platforms. SOPHIA regularly mentions their latest shows on social media, so you can buy tickets and check them out in person.