Ayleen Valentine Teases Debut Album With a Bold Sonic Shift in "000memories"
Electro-alt princess Ayleen Valentine has offered one more taste of her upcoming debut album, and it’s sure to be a welcomed surprise for listeners new and old. “000memories” is a glitchy ambient bop with a twist, showcasing the impressive range of talent from this young singer, songwriter, and producer. Valentine recently announced her debut self-produced album titled little rainbows after death, set to arrive May 3. She’ll be making her live debut with an album release show at the Moroccan Lounge in Los Angeles on May 16.
For most songwriters, the production serves as a home to complement the storytelling being portrayed through lyrics. For artists like Valentine, her self-produced style tells as much of a story, if not more, than the words coming out of her mouth. On the making of the album she says, “I wanted to focus on vibe more than songwriting and vocals... this song has an eerie, liminal space feeling that encapsulates how I felt at the time.” This could not be more apparent than the experience of “000memories,” a track that captures the numb hopelessness of growing up with depression.
The track starts off soft and ambient, with a subtle beat to bop along to. Through her signature filtered gentle vocals, Valentine sings her dark thoughts and frustrations. An alluring electronic moment changes everything, transitioning this convoluted record from comfortable to unexpected. Instead of just singing about her woes, Valentine tries her hand at screamo and lands it effortlessly. This choice elevates the song tenfold, taking the listener by surprise while fully realizing the weight of how dark “000memories” really is. She repeatedly screams the anti-mantra, “I think the whole world just wants me to break,” expressing every last drop of anger before returning to the original sound of the track.
Valentine’s recent singles portray self-expression through more than lyrics, and “000memories” showcases her impressive talent for communicating through sonics. Although it seems like a jarring choice to switch to screamo without warning, her artistry shines in this chaotic declaration of desperation.
Watch the "000memories" video below:
