What is it like to be young in all its glory? Dublin-based singer-songwriter Sophie Doyle Ryder captures that in her new single “Hunni Hunni” from her debut EP. It starts off with a subdued background arrangement while Ryder’s silky vocals take center stage, giving the listener a glimpse into the daze of youth. The 19-year-old singer aims to deliver a quintessential dance number, a throwback to the late 2000s when iconic songs like Ke$ha’s “TikTok” and The Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling” ruled the charts. It opens into the narrative of a life of excitement and carelessness as if the music is and the euphoria it gives time and time again is an escape from yourself, yet also a place where you can truly let go and be yourself. This universal emotion that everyone can relate to – the desire to live life to the fullest, and Ryder does justice to it without coming off as immature. The verses, loaded with synth runs and a beat that ties it all together showcases electronica pop in all its brilliance.
FNE got a chance to discuss insights into the music with the artist herself. Here’s what happened.
FNE: Could you tell us more about the creative process behind the production and song-writing?
SDR: I wrote this song with Lauryn Gaffney and Jake Curran back in January!
The experience was so so fun we were in the studio for a few days writing the EP and i remember we came up with the Hunni Hunni hook on one of the first days and couldn’t figure out what to do with it, so we left it for the next day and that’s when we wrote the full song!
Sean Behan then produced the track and brought it to life! It was quite difficult with lockdowns to be able to communicate properly without being face to face a lot. The only times we could be was when we were recording the vocals. But when there’s a will there’s a way because we still managed to make it work between Jake and Sean zooming and sending a crazy amount of whatsapp messages!
FNE: Dance numbers are fairly common but there is always so much at play in their arrangements. How would you in your words describe your sound?
SDR: I would describe my sound as fun, energetic, and exciting. With Hunni Hunni I wanted that free, fun-loving feeling so when people dance to it they can really do their own thing!
FNE: Who would you cite as your influences?
SDR: Benee, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande and Rihanna of course. I also love discovering new artists.
FNE: From my interpretation, this seems like a self-aware take on dance songs and party culture. What inspired you to write this song? What is the story sought to be conveyed through the music?
SDR: Being in lockdown for so so long took its toll on everybody, especially young people when all we like to do is be with our friends, at parties and nights out so I thought it was perfect timing to release a song about just that! The story conveyed through the music is about a girl who just doesn’t want the party to end, she’s waking up (if she’s slept lol) and going to party after party. I just feel that’s how party people will live once they can again!
FNE: What would you describe as the best way to enjoy your music?
SDR: I have had so many people reach out and say that it’s brilliant for running! of course I wouldn’t know lol. I’ve also told people like to dance around they’re room without a care in the world, and that makes me so so happy because that is why I do what I do, to make other people happy, and forget about worries. I can’t wait until I see audiences enjoying this song when I sing it live. So far I have only sung it at virtual gigs so I’m really excited for that.
FNE: How do you think your sound finds relevance in the current pop culture landscape? What do you think is the most unique quality that your music has to offer?
SDR: I think the most unique quality of my music is that I genuinely want people to listen and feel an emotion, with Hunni Hunni it would be happiness. I want to make a difference in at least one person’s bad day. To imagine any of my friends sad in their rooms and turning Hunni Hunni on to make them feel better just makes me so so happy.