Solya is a 19 year-old singer-songwriter and producer born and raised in West Texas. Her debut album, Queen Of Texas, was released on March 6th, 2026. This 10-track record explores the reality of growing up alienated from others in a rural conservative town, and navigating the complexities of love as a young person.
When Solya released her first three-track EP, Fever Dream, she was only 16. Fever Dream was made entirely in her bedroom. She has been playing guitar and synth since the age of 14 and piano since the age of six. Although she has never had formal vocal lessons, Solya has a strong vocal range. She blends indie rock and dreamy pop music to create a unique sound.
Similarly to Solya’s past works such as the 2024 EP Jewel Box, Queen of Texas draws inspiration from growing up in the south. She uses her West-Texas roots to create a unique southern gothic aesthetic. This style allows her to explore her upbringing in a small, unaccepting town. Solya is on the autism spectrum. In this album, she describes growing up feeling different from those around her and how that has affected her life as an adult.
The album opens with the track “Queen of Texas.” Throughout the track, Solya describes her “queen of Texas” persona. The queen of Texas is a glamorous woman who has been hurt time and time again. Through the course of the album, you see how she evolves into a resilient and strong character. I think that the “Queen of Texas” is a relatable person that is applicable to many peoples’ lives. The title track explores the themes of heartbreak and the resilience that comes afterwards. It uses electronic sounds and a synth-heavy guitar to illustrate the americana aesthetic of the album.
One of my favorite tracks from this album is “And I’ll ask.” This three minute, 17 second track details the complicated journey of being trapped in a taxing relationship. Solya describes feeling bound to her partner, who is manipulative and traps her in a toxic cycle. At the end of the song, she details how she feels ready to leave the relationship and accepts the fact that the relationship is unhealthy.
Another must-listen track from the album is entitled “Is This Love??” This is the final song on the album and was the last single Solya released for Queen of Texas. This song is about how beautiful and complex falling in love can be. After an album filled with heartbreak, this love song ends the album on a happy note. Solya describes falling in love with a new partner, and the joy it brings her. This is my favorite song on the album because it is so sweet and shows how after toxic relationships, you can find love with a person who actually values you. This song is very relatable to a lot of people and I think it stands out on this album.
Queen of Texas is a dreamy indie rock album that showcases Solya’s struggles as a young woman growing up in Texas. This is an incredibly relatable album that explores themes of alienation, love, and the strength you can find through heartbreak. I thoroughly enjoyed this album, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys beautiful lyricism paired with an indie-pop sound.
