VASSIŁINA is set to release her highly anticipated album, Femmeland, following her debut LP Fragments released in 2021. VASSIŁINA’s latest offering is a sonic exploration that transcends the boundaries of pop and electronic music, delving into introspection, acceptance, and the transformative power of embracing one’s true self.
Femmeland is a collection of 13 electronic, dark-pop tracks, serving as a chapter in VASSIŁINA’s exploration of self-healing, bidding adieu to a past life in London and embracing her true self. The album is an emotive rollercoaster, delving into the complexities of mental health, chronic illness, loss, and past traumas, while uncovering trust and love through others. It’s a transformative experience, resonating with the acceptance of inner voices and the strength found in embracing one’s true self.
At the heart of Femmeland’s art direction lies the mythical inspiration of Greek legend Circe, a sorceress daughter of Helios, the sun god, and of the ocean nymph Perse. In ‘Crooked,’ the first single and music video directed by Giorgos Athanasiou, we witness Circe’s Fall when she renounces her father “The Sun” by choosing mortality, transcending the shackles of patriarchal norms and her “ideal” self. The emergence of her human side marking the initiation of VASSIŁINA’s personal journey of self-healing. While upcoming second single, ‘2 Kisses,’ delves into Circe’s past, exploring the dark void and societal perceptions, juxtaposed with her gentle nature.
In the culminating chapter, Circe is found at her mythical island, Femmeland, living now as a mortal, in harmonious peace with her nature. The homonymous song ‘Femmeland’ was written in response to numerous femicides that have occurred in Greece over the last couple of years. VASSIŁINA wanted to create a song as a tribute to her friends and all femininities, as she felt they all shared the similar trauma and fear. The aim was to establish a safe space, a metaphorical island, even if only in the realm of imagination within the song. Drawing from the myth of Circe’s island, the song envisions a place where nymphs and femininities dwell. In this mythical land, any man posing a threat is magically transformed into an animal, resulting in a harmonious coexistence of creatures.
Collaborating on this musical journey, VASSIŁINA enlisted TOTALWERK for co-writing and co-producing tracks such as ‘Thunder,’ ‘Love Me,’ ‘Crooked,’ and ‘Are you ready.’ Bhukhurah contributed to the co-writing of ‘2kisses’ and co-producing of ‘Vivid’ and ‘Hypochondria,’ complemented by the amazing synth work of Saber Rider. The result is a sonic landscape that skillfully balances pop aesthetics with dark electronic influences. The visual narrative accompanying the album’s aesthetics was directed by VASSIŁINA and Vinyl Face, with Erifili Doukeli‘s 3D graphic design, Contino‘s graphic design, and Costas Simos‘ photography further enhancing the visual and tactile experience.
Out on Vinyl LP and Digital album in April 2024 via Inner Ear.
