Valentina – Hands (2024)
In the ever-shifting world of indie-electronica, where artists come and go like digital fireflies, Valentina blazes a trail of her own. This English-Italian vocalist, songwriter and producer has been conjuring auditory magic since the early 2010s, lending her voice to industry titans Kano, Lil Silva, Hot Chip, Kindness and most recently Kanye West on his latest opus VULTURES 1. But don’t mistake her for just a collaborator extraordinaire, with four solo EPs under her belt, her solo career is where her true artistry shines and once again she’s back with another scorcher.
Enter ‘Hands’, a track that Valentina plucked from her musical vault like a time-traveller retrieving a lost relic. Produced by Valentina’s longtime friend and collaborator Tev’n it’s a portal into her past psyche, wrapped in a lush package of atmospheric indie pop. With ethereal vocals floating atop a sea of intricate soundscapes, Valentina felt that this hidden gem resonated now more than ever. Armed with lyrics sharp enough to cut through the darkness. ‘Hands’ dives headfirst into the murky waters of depression, showcasing Valentina’s genius not just as a vocalist but as a lyricist too.
Reflecting on the track, Valentina shares, “This song talks about depression as if it is a person. The idea of losing oneself to it. Of being so pulled under that you don’t recognise yourself – even the parts of yourself you know best. The line “I can’t see my hands in the dark” describes this. I wanted to try to give words to that cloud that surrounds you, that warps everything, even those moments that should feel good – when you can no longer see the hope and beauty in things. “They say it’s light outside But I can’t see my hands But I can’t see my hands in the dark” And the fight can feel like a losing battle: “…maybe you will always be stronger than me you’re winning..” How lonely and isolating it can be – “the more you’re comfortable the more you make me lonely”
Following her 2023 EP All Are Lost, this track hints at a larger project on the horizon. If this is what Valentina can do with a forgotten track from her past, we can only imagine what she’s cooking up for the future. One thing’s for sure: in the world of indie-electronica, all eyes and ears should be on Valentina. She’s not just an artist to watch; she’s an experience to be had.
Find out more about Valentina on her Instagram and Spotify.
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