Velvet Vision - "Garden Apartment" | New Music

(Cover art by Nina Katz)

Back in late summer 2019, Minneapolis quintet Delilah Fang released their only EP, Lonely Once Too. Their song "Impostor Syndrome" caught my ear with its lovely groove and playful take on traditional dream pop sounds; I was immediately looking forward to what the band would do next. Much to my disappointment, the band dissolved shortly after the EP's release, with members moving away and pursuing other ventures.

Approximately a year-and-a-half later, I have found myself back within the Delilah Fang Cinematic Universe (or DFCU for short). Guitarist and vocalist Betty Taylor relocated to Santa Fe, New Mexico and in the ensuing months has launched her solo project under the Velvet Vision moniker. She released a self-titled EP in March and has quickly followed it up with an understated and wonderful new single.

"Garden Apartment" rests easily on a shuffling drumbeat and chopped samples of Taylor's bright vocals. Downtempo electronic production offsets the lyrics' uncertainty. "How long will it take till this wears off? / 'Cause right now, I'm feeling pretty gone," Taylor sings as guitar lines, courtesy of former bandmate Tanner Groehler, spiderweb around her. Velvet Vision has found her leaning into more abstract mixtures of sound, even as her words hone in on the personal and mundane ("I watch too much TV").

Velvet Vision established the new world of ideas that Taylor would be pursuing and "Garden Apartment" only continues to demonstrate her intrinsic curiosity. Listen to "Garden Apartment" below.