How SOPHIE and her Elektron Monomachine changed the sound of contemporary pop music: "Every single thing you hear should feel like something you've never heard before"

Sophie.

In our Pioneers series, we illuminate the genius of the most influential artists and producers in musical history. Today, we're remembering Sophie Xeon, a visionary talent that irrevocably shaped the sound of contemporary pop and electronica before tragically passing away three years ago this month.

Many of the musicians and producers we feature in this column reached the peak of their influence well before the turn of the millennium; typically it takes a few decades of graft to have the kind of resounding impact that warrants the title of ‘pioneer’.