Violet Whimsey drops new single “sly”

Over the last five years, Los Angeles-based artist Violet Whimsey has been building a world of her own that more and more listeners are stepping into. With the release of her debut single “Loving You (Was Killing Me)” in 2020, she introduced listeners to her delicate brand of indie pop, a sound that feels at once fragile and strong, wrapped in dreamlike textures and honest songwriting. Since then, she’s expanded that vision through a string of singles and most notably, her ten-track debut record Love, Love, which arrived in October last year and marked her as an artist with something lasting to say.

Her music has struck a chord with countless fans, racking up hundreds of thousands of spins while reaching listeners around the world. As a vocal advocate for mental health, her writing often takes shape as a hand extended to others, using personal artistic expression as a form of connection where songs become shared spaces for reflection, healing and the reassurance that no one is truly alone.

Influenced by the likes of The Cure and Tom Petty, her music balances a sense of nostalgia with a modern aesthetic. That interplay between timeless quality and cutting edge sound is part of what gives her sound its magnetism, a blend of classic rock vibes and atmospheric indie pop shimmer. Earlier this year, Violet Whimsey began rolling out new music, sharing singles like “what happened to our love?,” “still here (slow dances)” and “sally” as she builds towards her highly anticipated sophomore album.

Now she returns with her latest offering titled “sly,” the fourth single of the year and another window into what’s to come from her second LP. “sly” thematically confronts the idea of toxic relationships, focusing on the emotional toll of dealing with manipulative and scheming personalities who leave nothing but emptiness in their wake. The track transforms this into something cinematic and ethereal, channelling hurt into art built on hypnotic melodies and dreamy atmosphere that distils the work of Lana Del Rey and Cigarettes After Sex slowcore stylings.

Brought in by Violet’s hushed vocals which float above the gentle taps of percussion and delicate twinkle of keys, a lilting rhythmic sway carries the song as the arrangement softly swells around her stunning voice. Stitching elegant melodies into the lullaby-esque soundscape, “sly” glides with tender sound and heartfelt lyrical writing, offering a musical experience that’s meaningful, unique and engaging all at once. Perfect for late-night drives or solitary moments of pensive thought, the song captures the haunting beauty of finding light in the aftermath of darkness.

It’s a superb showcase of Violet Whimsey’s affecting songwriting and performance flair, revealing another side of her constantly developing musical output. As she gets closer to releasing her upcoming second record, we can’t wait to see what this incredible singer-songwriter has in store next on her utterly compelling musical journey.

Listen to sly below

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