HUGS & KISSES FOR NEW SOPHIE POWERS COLLAB “XO”
Whenever Sophie Powers drops a new song, the world stops to listen and dance. Her new track “XO,” released on May 16 with producer RJ Pasin, is nothing short of hyperpop greatness, dripping with chaotic, enticing beats and alluring vocals throughout the song’s two minutes.
A Canadian singer-songwriter, Powers has been releasing music since 2021 and continues to shake the pop scene with each release, making everything she touches turn to glitch-rock gold. At just 20 years old, Powers has already had songs go viral on social media, opened for artists like Waterparks and earned a spot on the 2025-revival of Vans Warped Tour.
“XO” is the singer’s second feature of the year, her first one being “STFU” by Pixl Girl that gained fast recognition after Powers performed it for a fake audition on American Idol in April. With “XO,” Powers has teamed up with the electronic-meltacore producer Pasin, who has worked with Flo Milli and Sexyy Red in the past.
This song is addictive right off the bat, with immediate high energy and layered, pulsing synths. Powers’ enthralling vocals immerse listeners into the femme fatale-sounding track within the first ten seconds, making a grand entrance on Pasin’s production and asserting her dominance on the song. Her higher, soft vocals in the “XO” pre-chorus juxtaposed with the deep, dark vocals in the chorus present a brilliant switch-up throughout the 2-minute track, leaving listeners excited and attentive the whole time, waiting to see what experimental sounds will come next.
Photo via Colleen McPhillips (@cardboardsweater)
“Antsy, I'm too handsy / When I see you, there's no plan B / Boy, don't tempt me, 'cause I'm crazy / Drunk on signals that you sent me, like,” Powers sings at the start of the second verse. As a whole, “XO” captures the emotions of a resilient, yet overwhelmed generation, and Pasin and Powers use metaphors and sharp lyrics to paint their picture. In this second verse, Powers is singing to someone they like, chasing that reckless, chaotic love that comes with dating in your 20s.
Pasin excels in musical breakdowns and creating hype within a song — something that oozes out of “XO.” The electronic, vibrating synths and exploding instruments come together to create a passionate anthem listeners can repeat for hours. His production behind the song’s chorus is especially dirty and electrifying, and mixed with Powers’ magnetic vocals creates a chaotic melody that just makes sense.
“X-O-X-O, cross me out and you'll be sorry / X-O-X-O, kiss me 'fore I kill somebody,” Powers sings in the bursting chorus of “XO.”
A standout moment in “XO” comes after the bridge into the outro. The song, which has built-up for nearly two minutes, slows down after Powers ends the bridge with “Just kidding, deleted.” Pasin brings the beat down to a few lone piano notes, giving the song a calm, soothing ending after the exploding hyperpop creation we got to know prior. Powers’ vocals quietly echo the chorus throughout the outro before the song comes to an abrupt end.
Powers is one of those artists that never stops working and continues to break bounds doing so. This new collaboration with Pasin fearlessly cements herself in a genre of her own, showing she is not to be put inside a box.
Get tickets to see Powers at the UK’s Slam Dunk and Vans Warped Tour: here.
Add “XO” to your playlists and keep up with RJ Pasin and Sophie Powers:
RJ PASIN: Website / Spotify / Apple Music / Instagram / TikTok / YouTube / X
SOPHIE POWERS: Website / Spotify / Apple Music / Instagram / TikTok / YouTube / X
