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Recently unveiling her debut studio album Within the Confines of You, VALERIE explores personal experiences, faith, and the intricacies of the human psyche. A self-professed ‘amateur’, her lack of training gives her unrestricted freedom to explore her sonic and visual interests, a constantly fuelled creativity helping her to build an audience of fans and tastemakers.
‘Havana Nights’ is VALERIE’s first single after the release of her debut album, and it’s a track that sees the artist embrace her roots, blending her electronic, atmospheric and emotive songwriting to the sounds of Latin America, with plucky acoustic arpeggios, close position piano chords and delicate flutes all making an appearance around the consistently rhythmic percussion and VALERIE’s equally playful performance. Able to bring an emotive delivery to the vivid, sweltering atmosphere VALERIE plays to her strengths and showcases her versatility in one fell swoop.
VALERIE explains, “In 1980, my grandfather risked everything to bring his family to the United States, boarding a small ship during the Mariel boatlift with my grandmother, my mother, and my uncle. Before they faced the seas, he spoke these words to his family: “We’re going on a journey that will be difficult. No matter what happens, don’t cry. You have to be brave.”
43 years later, he faced the most difficult and universal trial — the journey from this life to the next. I wanted to write him a song that communicated my gratitude for everything he had given me without dampening his spirits. I wanted the song to echo that message he gave his family 43 years ago: “Ahora no llores.”
