20 May 2022 - 0 Comments

With her new single Love Games Ukrainian-Aotearoa artist Vïkae (Veronika Bell) has delivered an alt-pop hit that packs a punch.

The first song to be released from a five-track mixtape, Love Games feels sonically empowering, with its strong delivery and 90's-esque strings - for a hint of nostalgia. It is also a dark track, riddled with melancholy and sincerity - “imagine if Taylor Swift went emo,” says Vïkae.

A talented performer, songwriter and lyricist, inspiration for Love Games came from the artists' observations and lived experiences of toxic relationships. She says, “this is just another window into the honesty I bring to my artistry. Unbeknownst to the listener, there is no obvious narrative. Whether it’s a story about a relationship or self-love or self-loathing, the beauty is in the eye of the interpreter. Or is love really blind?!”

Recorded, mixed and mastered at Auckland's Parachute Studios, the production is slick, adding to the success and listenability of this track. Love Games is to be listened to loudly and on repeat!

The follow-up to Vïkae's debut EP Finelines, her five-track mixtape Love Games - set to be released later this year -explores love, betrayal and heartache. Blending pop sensibilities and emo rebellion, the artist sings for the voiceless and the underdogs.

A proud 'Swiftie' that grew up listening to the emo bands of the 2000's, it's no surprise that her music is pseudo-romantic, unapologetic and sometimes just a little bit brash. After graduating with an honours music degree (University of Otago), she relocated to Auckland to further pursue her career as a solo artist. Making her debut in 2020 during the start of the pandemic Vïkae amassed nearly half a million streams across all platforms, has had honourable mentions on the NZ Official Charts and has played at some of the country's biggest music festivals like Bay Dreams Nelson and Mardi Gras, as well as managing to clock up some serious tour time throughout NZ (even despite Covid restrictions). Vïkae is definitely an artist to watch.

Listen To Love Games

Comments

Return to News Archive