venbee Releases Thrilling Debut Mixtape 'Zero Experience'
Rising 23-year-old artist venbee is having one hell of a year. The singer-songwriter has been having a breakout twelve months, culminating in the release of her stellar debut mixtape Zero Experience. There is a fierce authenticity to venbee's sound, combining cinematic and full-bodied drum 'n' bass sonics with poignant, honest lyricism, divulging her musical influences and personal mind state in a raw and compelling manner.
"Zero Experience has been over a year and a half in the making," shares the artist. "I entitled it Zero Experience to encapsulate what I discuss in the tracks. You know, nobody has any idea what is going on, especially growing up, and I wanted people to feel reassured that I, too, am winging it and figuring it out as I go just the same. The tape is a super honest take on growing up, and I discuss real raw experiences which I have gone through. I am really excited for people to finally hear it and hopefully resonate and enjoy!"
The mixtape's opening track, "rampage," sees her team up with Chase & Status, aka DJ SS, to create an addictive and heavy drum 'n' bass effort that begs listeners to open the mosh pit. The energy started by this high-octane track takes a turn with the entrancing "messy in heaven," featuring Goddard. Beginning with a light guitar riff, her catchy lyrics cheekily reimagine the son of god in a modern predicament. "I heard Jesus did cocaine on a night out/ eyes wide open, dilated, but he's fine now/ and if his father ever finds out he'd probably knock his lights out," she sings atop heavenly production.
"lowdown" finds venbee struggling with depression, quoting that although her mother told her "life would be fun," she finds it dark and scary and struggles to cope. Manchester-based singer-songwriter Dan Fable fits perfectly on the track, contributing a guest verse where he reveals that he also feels the weight of the world on his chest and resorts to drugs to lighten the load. When he's high, Fable is unconcerned about the consequences, but once he withdraws, he feels like a train wreck.
Tracks like "ME4," "gutter," "POV," and "ana," stand out as some personal favorites on the mixtape, not to mention the anthemic "mona lisa," and the powerful "If Love Could've Saved You." On the former, the Kent native analyzes the question, "What would Mona Lisa be like if she were still around?" With introspective lyrics that touch on modern beauty standards and society's idea of what a woman should be, the artist has an internal conversation with the subject of the famous painting. The Hybrid Minds-assisted "If Love Could've Saved You" sees the newfound trio creating an emphatic track that moves the feet and touches the heart, acting as a dedication to young people suffering from mental health issues.
The mixtape's finale, "die young," sees venbee team up with the legendary and indomitable Rudimental. On this heavyweight drum 'n' bass banger, venbee explores her depression and anxiety and the challenges she faces while trying to seek a path forward. Her introspective songwriting has her baring her soul once again, with lines like, "Kinda wish that I was six feet under, livin' the dream / The world is fucked, mate, not as good as it seems and she said," and "Die young, die young / But I do what I want, so I guess I'm gonna die young" pulling on listener's heartstrings.
After a busy live schedule in 2023, with key performances at SXSW, The Great Escape, Radio 1's Big Weekend, Later With Jools Holland, Glastonbury, and Reading and Leeds venbee will also embark on her biggest UK tour to date. The 'Zero Experience Live' tour will kick off this fall, stopping in major cities like Edinburgh, Amsterdam, and more before finishing on November 10 in Brussels at Botanique Witloof Bar.
Listen to Zero Experience below:
