Single Review: V V Brown – Samson
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| Photo: Facebook |
V V Brown has done quite a few things since her breakthrough. She released a brilliant debut. She built up excitement for it’s follow up. We waited for it. We waited some more. We got news of a new single and a new album, but before it was released it was snatched back. We watched her on Come Dine With Me (Yes, really!) We waited. And waited again. And from the cocoon of patience emerged something quite unexpected – a tune that rewards every second of anticipation with something magnificent, addictive and, ultimately and most importantly, wonderfully different.
‘Samson’ is nothing like ‘Travelling Like The Light’. In fact, it’s from an opposing world – whilst her breakthrough hit ‘Shark In The Water’ and the acclaimed ‘Crying Blood’ bounced about on a wave of positivity, V V has chosen a much darker path to tread with her latest release. It’s terrifying. Brown sounds nothing like her perky self, but embodies a vicious, haunting tone which has as much conviction as it does venom. It sounds like a horror soundtrack that cuts straight into the psychological realm – ‘Samson’ feels like an experience and a part of something huge, which V V has promised of the project and upcoming album.
It’s not often i’ll consult a video, being a music blog and all, but it really does sit wonderfully when played on top of the harsh and threatening images displayed in the clip. The crashing drums and monotonous vocal delivery in the verses do become incredibly unsettling which seems to be the aim. One thing Vanessa has not given up on, thankfully, is a killer chorus and though this one isn’t as instant as her past repertoire, it is easily the most powerful and memorable. It takes a few listens, but being able to bring the listener in with a familiar hook might be the charm that sets V V apart from other musicians – musicians that may not find art and catchy hooks to be coexisting entities.
It’s not too shocking to see that V V posted on twitter about seeing The Knife recently – sonically, ‘Samson’ sits beautifully amongst the Scandinavian electro-ambience that has been raking in attention over the last few years. It is most shocking, however, that it is believable. It is as good, if not better, than some of the stuff coming from Europe and when the taste-makers get a whiff of what V V Brown is cooking up, they’ll be foolish not to dive onboard and ride the wave of artistry that is her defiant and defining second coming.
Photo: Facebook
Words: Simon McMurdo