BESS unleashes Feminist artistry with Avant-Pop album, "Virginia Supreme"
BESS, the Danish artist, singer, and composer, makes a powerful statement with her debut full-length album Virginia Supreme. This 13-track avant-pop record is not just an album—it's a multi-layered exploration of gender, identity, and the fluidity of the female experience. It’s an ambitious project that challenges listeners to think, feel, and engage with the world in new ways.
From the first notes of the opener "Art Figure," BESS sets the tone for what is an intensely personal yet universally resonant journey. The production throughout the album is innovative and full of interesting effects, but it's the emotional weight of her vocal delivery that truly anchors the work. BESS's voice is both haunting and powerful, a perfect match for the themes she tackles. Whether she’s belting it out or going more into the spoken word realm on certain songs, she delivers up a performance for the ages that keeps you thinking.
"Gatekeeper" is another standout, offering a rich tapestry of sound that blends electronic elements with BESS's poignant lyrics. It's a track that feels both intimate and grand, much like the album as a whole. The production is meticulously crafted, allowing every nuance to shine, yet never overshadowing the message at the heart of the music. It’s one of the more slightly energetic songs on the record that fully piques your attention from beginning to end.
"North South East West" exemplifies BESS's ability to fuse storytelling with avant-garde pop. The song feels like a journey—both sonically and thematically—taking the listener through a landscape of thoughts and emotions that are as complex as they are compelling. The album as a whole feels cohesive, each song contributing to the larger narrative BESS is weaving. With a reverberating synth line making its way through, it’s ultimately a spoken word-focused track that keeps the energy high with a ton of anthemic qualities as well.
Virginia Supreme is more than just an album; it’s a piece of art that demands to be experienced in its entirety. With a documentary-performance film and a context-providing book in the works, BESS has created a multifaceted project that transcends traditional music boundaries. This album is not just a collection of songs—it's a mosaic of the female gaze, offering a room for ongoing thought, movement, and transformation. Something as special as this record 100% deserves a follow up and we’re quite excited to see how the rest of this puzzle comes together.
For those who appreciate music that makes you think as much as it makes you feel, Virginia Supreme is an essential listen. BESS has delivered a debut that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant, making her a powerful new voice in the world of avant-pop.
It’s non-traditional, non-mainstream, but it comes together to create an experience that grips you from the very opening notes. We urge everyone to click those links below in order to listen, follow along, and of course to stay tuned for everything else that’s currently in the works. Enjoy!
Like what you read? Follow our social media and playlist for the latest in independent music:
Photo by: Michella Bredahl