Given the current political state of America, the feminist movement is more important now than ever before. Up-and-coming artist Sofia Isella’s new single, Dog’s Dinner, speaks directly to women who are afraid for their rights. With its poignant lyrics, poetic flow, haunting production, and stellar aesthetics, the single released on Monday, Jan. 27 was another eerie yet heartfelt single from the Taylor Swift-recognized artist.
Isella is a singer, songwriter, and producer who released her debut single Rainbow Rocket Ride in May of 2022. Although starting as a small artist, her trademark haunting production and reflective lyrics depicting her experiences in a male-dominated society has garnered her a large audience. Her rise in fame occurred most notably in 2024, when she opened for Taylor Swift during the Eras Tour in London. Her singles The Doll People, Us and Pigs, and Everybody Supports Women have risen in popularity since their debut, and Dog’s Dinner is sure to be another hit single.
Isella’s lyricism is reminiscent of spoken word poetry with a musical, poignant flow meant to evoke feelings of desperation and frustration. Dog’s Dinner begins with whispered lyrics, evoking a feeling of secrecy as Isella prepares to dish out the hidden reality of humanity under the patriarchy. The alternation between verses of spoken word lyrics and the chorus rich with melodic synths and high notes offers a beautiful contrast. The production of the song transports listeners to another realm, giving them a brief break from America’s political changes as they listen to feminist lyrics. Dog’s Dinner is an ethereal and powerful example of feminist music; the production and lyricism is skillfully executed in order to leave listeners with a message while still remaining a great, emotional listen.
As usual, Isella’s vocals are haunting and emotional. Although sung in a whisper-like tone, the lyrics have an echo-like effect. The chorus, especially, contains distorted vocals from Isella, contributing to her melancholic yet resigned admissions regarding the life of a woman in a relationship with a man who does not respect her. The distorted vocals contribute to a feeling of a woman suffering and attempting to scream but being unable too – a theme that is common in Isella’s music and society, where women are silenced upon their attempts to speak out against violence.
The metaphors in Dog’s Dinner are, possibly, the highlight of the entire single; representing physical intimacy as an animalistic act, the song utilizes the extended metaphor of men as the dogs, therefore depicting their intimacy with women as inhumane and possessing a lack of empathy. Listening between the lines of Dog’s Dinner, Isella attributes these metaphors to the patriarchal society and the hypermasculine standards that men in romantic relationships are subjected to. However, many fail to realize that the sexist standards that men are held to not only harm men, but also women.
Dog’s Dinner’s metaphorical meaning was evident in the marketing for this song, allowing the single to garner a wide fan base even before its release. Thousands of Isella’s fans waited in anticipation for the full song, their enthusiasm heightened from the teasers posted on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Isella employed dark, obscure visuals of dogs eating as well as unempathetic depictions of romantic relationships. These marketing tactics not only garnered a wide audience but also furthered the message sent by Dog’s Dinner about stereotypes and the patriarchy.
The most notable lyric in Dog’s Dinner is “I know the wall is a woman / This whole time we’ve been discussing / Only a woman has seen everything and must act like she’s seen nothing”. Isella directly speaks out against the patriarchy and the gender roles assigned to men and women. The gendered confines assigned to men and women in romantic relationships are a direct reflection of the patriarchy. While this track may not have been produced with the current political climate in mind, the timing of the release provides a song of solitude for women afraid for their rights.
Dog’s Dinner is a brutally honest admission regarding the effects of the patriarchy: women are forced into submission and silence, a narrative seen throughout history. Dog’s Dinner speaks to the hearts of women apprehensive for their rights under the Trump administration. As with all of Isella’s past songs, Dog’s Dinner is sure to become a feminist anthem.
