Singer Sophie Villy’s latest album claims US competition prize

Georgian singer Sophie Villy's latest release Planet A has been recognised as the best new album among hundreds of worldwide recordings in the latest awards by the Akademia Music Award competition in the United States.

The judges of the competition selected Planet A as Best Rock Album released in 2017 Spring/Summer, giving wide exposure to the newly released recording as the young singer and songwriter is promoting it in performances in the US and Europe.

The album was praised for "virtuoso instrumental skills and the sheer dynamic range of the production itself" by the jury of the music contest.

Released in April, 'Planet A' is Sophie Villy's third album. Photo: Natia Gelantia/Sophie Villy artist Facebook page.

Submissions to Akademia awards are evaluated by a team of "senior record and media executives from some of the largest companies”, in addition to also involving marketing professionals.

The year-long awards are held for nominations in over 25 musical styles and five categories: song, full album, extended play, music video and live performance video.

Since its release Planet A has featured on air of KCRW, a popular member station of the US National Public Radio, while the artist launched Planet A Tour in May to promote the release.

Described as a "mixture of alternative rock and trip hop, covered by transparent voile of electronica”, the album includes 11 tracks and follows the artist’s 2014 release Dress.

Within the album tour Sophie performed at five US venues including a New York show of Sofar Sounds global live music community, becoming the first artist from Georgia to appear at the event.

The Georgian artist is scheduled to perform in her home country next month. Photo: Louisa Chalatashvili.

The young singer has appeared at other prominent US events this year, including the South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival in Texas, where she was the only Georgian artist.

Sophie's performances have featured acclaimed artists including Omar Torrez, the guitarist for celebrated American singer and songwriter Tom Waits and Ryan Voughn, former drummer for singer Lana Del Rey.

She has also taken to stage as opening act for award-winning artists including BRIT Award-nominated singer and songwriter Anna Calvi.

Sophie is scheduled for shows in her home country next month, with performances at Tbilisi's art community venue Fabrika and the opening concert of the Art-Gene Folk Festival at the capital city's open-air Museum of Ethnography.

The singer will also be on stage for Atlas Weekend, the largest music festival in Ukraine, on July 2. The event's headliners include acclaimed British electronic music band The Prodigy and rock band Kasabian.