War Violet sees the big picture in her dreamy new single and video Different Formations — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
The latest single from the psych folk project of N.Y.C. artist and multi-instrumentalist Olajumoke “Jummy” Aremu, Different Formations — released on venerated indie labels Kill Rock Stars and Bella Union — finds the singer-songwriter sharing a waking dream/nightmare about the tragic beauty of our world as she wonders: “What do we fill with these open spaces?”
“This song was written at a time when I was dealing with insomnia,” Aremu explains. “In my half-asleep, half-awake state, I often felt as if I was floating above Earth. I observed Earth from afar as a spectator, and thought to myself, if I was not here, then where would I be?
“Different Formations is about coming to terms with the decay of our Earth and atmosphere, and our search for meaning. It is about the ways in which we live on Earth like we want to escape it. I wanted to indulge in the chaos and irony of Earth, and make a song that was beautiful, but sad. A letter to the wonderful and horrifying chaos of Earth, a place where there is extreme beauty, but also decay, all happening at once.”
Things are certainly coming together for War Violet. A few years ago, she self released a lo-fi debut EP called Getaway. Fast forward to now: On her upcoming debut album — made with her ever-growing group of friends and collaborators — her sound has evolved into a vast landscape that explores darker themes such as isolation, alienation, identity, and loss. With the goal to illuminate, War Violet is the harsh truth, yet there is beauty.
Watch the video for Different Formations above, hear more from War Violet below, and follow her on Instagram.
