Born in Tehran in the 1950s, future singer Soraya spent her teen years listening to the Western pop of the Beatles along with traditional Iranian music and jazz. Despite being encouraged by her parents and friends to try singing professionally, Soraya didn't consider it an option until the early 2000s. In 2002 she released the album New Melody, which was applauded in the press for its mature brand of pop that recalled the music of pre-revolution, '70s Iran.