Cigarette

First Word Records are delighted to welcome Victoria Port to the label, and her debut solo single release 'Cigarette'.

Victoria is a British singer/songwriter that's previously released two albums as half of electronic soul outfit Anushka (on Brownswood and Tru Thoughts respectively), with a third album from the duo scheduled for release in 2025 on BBE. Now Victoria is finally making the move to showcase her music, in her own unique way, as a solo artist.

Her last project received extensive support from tastemakers such as Gilles Peterson, Annie Mac, Huw Stephens and Jamz Supernova, and saw her wowing crowds as a regular player on the UK and international festival circuit.

This first release for First Word Records is the initial taster of a full EP due for release in early 2025, and is set to place her where she firmly belongs; as an exciting new talent in the vibrant, eclectic UK r&b/soul scene.

'Cigarette' is a three-minute hit of sumptuously sweet soul music. Victoria says 'Cigarette' is "about knowing someone is bad for you and toxic, but struggling to quit them. Those unresolved situationships you try to make sense of with your friends and a bottle. I wanted the outro section to be a sonic expression of all the frustration and anger you feel when realising you're only hurting because you allowed yourself to be hurt. I suppose at its core, 'Cigarette' is about not loving yourself enough, which is a theme I touch on throughout the forthcoming EP…".

The wider forthcoming project is largely inspired by the legacy of her Dominican grandmother, and the tales of all the powerful women she has known, and is yet to know, encompassing their vulnerability and their truth. This in turn with her own journey as a mother. "I found the journey into motherhood transformative", she says. "I felt lost and broken at times, but simultaneously the most capable and powerful I've ever been. I've had to do the work and face my own shortcomings, in order to be the person I want to be, for my child, and ultimately for myself".

Sonically, Victoria takes her influences from a lifelong appreciation of soul music, drawing inspiration from artists like Gladys Knight, Minnie Riperton, Diana Ross, Nine Simone, Ella Fitzgerald and Dionne Warwick, to contemporaries such as Cleo Sol and Jorja Smith. She adds "I'm particularly obsessed with the girl bands from the '60's. I love the stories and the harmonies. Motown was the soundtrack to my childhood. Songs that make you want to dance in your kitchen!".

This first taste of Victoria's solo material is a beautiful example of Victoria's prowess as a vocalist and composer alike.

We're incredibly excited to present this music to you, with more quality to come imminently.

'Cigarette' is to be released digitally worldwide on November 15th 2024.