London-based Austrian-Brazilian alternative artist Viji (aka Vanilla Jenner) has announced the release of her debut full-length album ‘So Vanilla‘, and has shared the hook-heavy, fuzz laden new single “Sedative”.
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), the 12-track album will be out on October 27. Pre-order it here.
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 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’”.
Check out the album’s tracklist and watch the video for below.
Viji ‘So Vanilla’ Tracklisting:
- Anything
- Down
- Sedative
- Sundress In Pink
- Karaoke
- Blanket
- Sharks
- Slip Out Quiet
- 1850
- Say Hi
- White Lighter
- Ambien
To celebrate the release of the new album Viji will also play a number of instore events and live shows, and next month will play a headline show at The Shacklewell Arms in London – her first headline show since her sold-out permance at Third Man Records in March where material from the forthcoming record was played for the first time.
Viji Upcoming Live Shows
10th August – The Shacklewell Arms, London
28th October – Jacaranda – Liverpool
29th October – Jumbo – Leeds
30th October – Rough Trade – London
31st October – Resident – Brighton
Photo Credit: Nicole Ngai
