Violet - Y.O.U.

It would be incredibly easy to be rather sniffy about the debut single by Violet due to the presence of Pixie Geldof as the band’s singer. Violet are far more than a mere vanity project though, and ‘Y.O.U’ is a charming piece of slow burning brooding guitar rock.

Violet are named after a track from Courtney Love’s Hole, perhaps indicating their influences. ‘Y.O.U.’ is a curious choice of debut though as it is very much an understated piece that waltzes along on a lovely lilting melody. The lack of an in your face punch indicates the belief that Violet seem to have in the strength of their song writing, which is wonderfully direct as Geldof’s softly whispered vocals proclaim that simple maxim, “I love you.” There is also doubt and despair at the same time. ‘Every part of me is breaking,’ she sings, heartbreak very much seems to be the prevalent mood.

This single bears heavily the influence of early nineties, mainly American, alternative rock with echoes of Mazzy Star in particular but there is more than enough promise to suggest that Violet will grow into a more unique and less reverential sound. It is always a joy when a piece of music surprises you, and Violet’s debut single is a very promising, and indeed, very welcome surprise.