Referencing the easy, sleazy sounds of the 90s, Viji – real name Vanilla Jenner – has been cementing herself as one of the most exciting alternative artists to watch in the UK right now. Having previously released music on Dirty Hit, she recently signed to Speedy Wunderground and has rapidly built a loyal fanbase.

So Vanilla was recorded predominantly in London, in partnership with four-time Mercury Prize nominated producer and Speedy Wunderground label head, Dan Carey (Fontaines D.C., Kae Tempest, Wet Leg). Having finished So Vanilla in November 2022, Viji relays that every song had a different writing process – some saw her and Carey playing guitar chords together for hours, until the sounds fused into one, and others came from late night ramblings at home.

Combining fiercely layered guitar melodies with pop hooks and slow, soulful soliloquies, ‘Sedative’ is a perfect introduction to So Vanilla. Speaking on the track, Viji says, “I wrote ‘Sedative’ about a girl. She’s like a breath of fresh air, and there’s a fine line between friendship and attraction that was hard to navigate. Usually when I meet someone like that I wanna ‘be’ that person, but this time I wanted to be with her.”

The single is accompanied by a surreal new video directed by Gilbert Trejo. Viji says, “the scenes unlock the dreamworld inside my head, while being restrained in a padded room. Expect a bit of ‘sucker punch’ with a set of twins in homage to ‘The Shining’”.

So Vanilla:

1. Anything
2. Down
3. Sedative
4. Sundress In Pink
5. Karaoke
6. Blanket
7. Sharks
8. Slip Out Quiet
9. 1850
10. Say Hi
11. White Lighter
12. Ambien

The post Viji announces highly anticipated debut album So Vanilla & shares new single/video ‘Sedative’ appeared first on She Makes Music.

Speaking about the track, Viji says, “This song is another collaboration with producer Dan Carey. ‘Anything’ is about being someone’s fantasy. Playfully indulging in the gaze put on you. For me this represents my first love interest after a breakup, where I can indulge in how I want to be seen. The tension is being held with an uninterrupted strum of two guitars swaying through different melodies in 6/8.”

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