Haunting / Cigarette

First Word Records are delighted to present 'Haunting', the second single from Victoria Port.

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 later in 2025 on BBE. Now Victoria is finally making the move to showcase her music, in her own unique way, as a solo artist.

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!".

Her first solo single 'Cigarette' saw support from Cerys Matthews & Huey Morgan on BBC 6 Music, Gilles Peterson (Worldwide FM), Mi-Soul Radio ('One To Watch'), Dan Digs (NPR Music), Tony Minvielle (Jazz FM), Somewhere Soul, Soho Radio, Totally Wired, Global Soul (also as part of their live showcase at Koko, London) and many more, while her last Anushka project also received extensive support from tastemakers such as Annie Mac, Huw Stephens and Jamz Supernova, and saw her wowing crowds as a regular player on the UK and international festival circuit.

This is the second track taken from her forthcoming debut solo EP, 'Did It Again', which is set to place her where she firmly belongs; as an exciting new talent in the vibrant, eclectic UK r&b/soul scene.

With production from Shevlane and Hemai, Victoria says 'Haunting' is "a funky bass led groove about an inability for someone to let go. When they can't read the messages and continue to try, to keep echoes of the past alive in the present…"

'Haunting' is released on all digital platforms, January 15th 2025, with the EP 'Did It Again' set to follow on vinyl and digitally worldwide in February 2025.