SOPHIE's Solo Debut 'It's Okay To Cry' is Instantly Iconic

SOPHIE is the pop star we need, right now--and when I say "need," I mean desperately, gravely need in an era when our leading ladies have collectively succumbed to some weird, watered-down Dolly Parton spin-off (Gaga, Miley, Kesha). The producer, who's famous for collaborating with Charli XCX, Madonna and more, has spent years performing with little known about her identity or intentions, but now she's breaking out as a solo artist through "It's Okay To Cry."

The track's triumphant video, which SOPHIE directed herself, is a simple yet powerful introduction to the artist, capturing her against a CGI sky that changes from rainbows to violent lightning storms and back. Where you'd expect her debut to deliver something explosive and euphoric, "It's Okay To Cry" remains largely subdued, featuring SOPHIE's cathartic vocals whispering gently above glistening euro-synths. "Just know whatever hurts, it's all mine/ It's okay to cry," she sings, writhing seductively with her angular red bob and glossy red lips.

Beyond SOPHIE's breakout being unapologetically queer, which arrives at a critical time for LGBTQ listeners, the song's structure is also noteworthy, saving the monstrous climax for the last 10 seconds. After she's coddled you with comforting lyrics and therapeutic vocal delivery for three minutes straight, "It's Okay To Cry" closes with a finale so celebratory that your chills become all over shivers, which develop into full body electric jolts until you're screaming, jumping and crying at the ceiling: "It's okay to cry!"

Watch SOPHIE's instantly iconic video, below, and purchase tickets for her live Los Angeles debut.