VEiiLA – “The Nation of One”VEiiLA – “The Nation of One”VEiiLA – “The Nation of One”

VEiiLA’s sophomore album, Sentimental Craving for Beauty, was released on September 8, 2023; through the world renowned, Projekt Records label, out of Portland, Oregon, US. I enjoyed it so much, that I had to request their earlier album, The Nation of One; released on January 15, 2020, for review. I just wanted to hear a comparison, and listen to their musical development. It ended up being a wonderful experience, that I want to share with you.

VEiiLA, was founded not in their current home of Vanadzor, Armenia; but in the country of Russia, around 2015. The musical duo, of Vif Nüte, (the lead singer and guitarist), and Bes Eirid, (who plays keyboards and synths), make up VEiiLA. They fled Russia, to Armenia, when Russia invaded Ukraine. It absolutely tore their lives apart. The Nation of One, was written, in a somewhat more stable time, before they left Russia; from their home at that time; in St. Petersburg; formerly known as Petrograd and Leningrad. It therefore may not express the desperation they would later face, during and before the Sentimental Craving for Beauty, recordings. The Nation of One, does seem to come from a place of more stability.

They also sent me a description of what The Nation of One, is really all about. “What is this album about? It isn’t about anything. It’s just a set of snapshots. Snapshots of my feelings and emotions at a certain period of my life. It’s a documented log of my loosing hope, loosing trust to or in people, descending into shadows of despair, failing to find a place in my own family, feeling lost, lonely, with nothing but my inner voice at my side and finally recovering, standing up on my feet, reflecting, paying all the sentiments and bidding farewell to the past. Is it different now, did it get better? It doesn’t matter, it’s a new page in a new book. I’m moving on. I’m leaving behind my failures and victories and leaving this album as a logbook of a wrecked ship. One may find there a story of a deadly storm and one may find a treasure map. Meanwhile I’m still sailing”. Yes, in a nutshell that is what The Nation of One is.

Every song on this album is also a treasure similar to, Sentimental Craving for Beauty. Maybe more so, because the songs do display that sense of exploration the band either endured or experienced. Depending on your point of view. “Dust”, opens the album with solo piano and what sounds like a St. Petersburg, Gulf of Finland breeze. Then, the cool synths and keyboards join in to create and absolutely powerful soundscape. Vif Nüte, does some cool ethereal sounds, before she sings, “As if I’m lying to myself. Every day every word. So sick and tired of this cell. Shivering on the floor. Happy, unhappy it doesn’t really matter. With, without it doesn’t really matter. You look into my eyes and all you see
is emptiness. What’ve become of me. What’ve become of us. We’re breathing dust. Like nothing else is left for us. But we believe in miracles. Miracles”. A quiet anthem, for all to continue to believe things will improve, no matter your circumstances. An innate human quality that has kept us alive for all these centuries. A powerful song, that will rivet your attention. Powerful, like some of Peter Gabriel’s work on the movie soundtrack for Birdy.

“Trust”, is another ethereal soundscape, perfect for dreaming and contemplation. It is also an answer to the state they were in at the time. Vif sings, as airy keyboards and synth effects, surround the soundscape, “Let me pretend to be happy today. Step outside of the box for one day. Feel your pure vision. Trust you. I have been drowning forever in lies. I have been drowning. Looking so easy into your eyes. You’re crushing my truth in a thousand pieces. I’m not giving up on myself. I’m walking ’round the city all day. Hoping to find a new way again. I know it will all pass away…” Vif’s spacey, out of this world, sighs and vocalizations, fit this song, so well. A dreamy, airy plea for help, and need to find someone to trust again. Towards the end it becomes an almost shout for help.

“Shadows”, opens with a cool, jazzy synth groove, complete with synthesizer percussion. A danceable rhythm and beat, full of emotion. Vif sings some more cool electric vocalizations before she sings, “I see, I see your pain. I feel, I feel your pain. Shadows are no reality. Choke your doubt in its infancy. Let me live with my insanity. Count it as my supremacy. I feel your pain. Formality. Normality. Mentality. Formality. You know it’s your life. Can’t really take it”.

“Re: Dive”, opens with a very cool spacey rhythm on guitar. Absolutely beautiful and relaxing. How they can create this relaxing music, with some of the subject matter they deal with in the lyrics, is an accomplishment in itself. Vif sings, “This is my family. This is my blood. Totally out of mind. I love all of you. I ah, ah, I don’t belong this. Then, Vif does some incredibly high note vocalizations that peak the value of this song. She returns, “I don’t know why. Don’t wanna look at empty pages. Dirty thoughts… on empty pages…” The synthesizer rhythms and sounds that follow and close the song are exemplary. More of those wonderful high notes from Vif, that are absolutely astonishing.

Vif, is the voice of VEiiLA. But she and Bes Eirid also have voices in their heads. The song, “Voice”, is about that reality. Vif sings, “It’s slowly coming back my pain. And I’m wasting time in vain. I’m carried by the wind like falling snow. There’s nothing to hold on to anymore. If there is still hope I’m not asking for more. I only need one reason to go on. These pain and gore I will endure. Whatever is there for me I’m not alone”, as cool synthesizer rhythms and sounds scatter across the soundscape. Vif sings, “Cause I hear that voice in my head. And it’s something to it. In the end this is all I’ve ever had. Oh yeah. I hear that voice in my head. And I find it soothing. After all it’s a promise I’m not dead. Not yet. I hear that voice”. One of the album’s most positive lyrical songs, set to a perfect melody.

“Reflection”, may be the song that opens the discussion of the band contemplating leaving Russia. It certainly sounds like it lyrically. Soft piano opens the song, followed by synth percussion. Vif sings, “This sad reflection on the world I reject. So sick of all the games you play. Who’ll break the walls around us if we can’t. Let’s run let’s run away. Have you ever satisfied your soul? Have you ever, ever? I can’t believe it’s not enough for us. Just hold each other’s hands”. Warm synths and Vif’s vocalizations fill the air. She continues singing, “You keep repeating that it’s not for us. We’d better find another way. I disagree and let all hell break loose. But then you’re right again. Am I strong enough to take this step. With all my doubts and complaints. And rediscover us in that new world. So hopeful and so faint. Sun ain’t good for you. Snow ain’t good for you. Hot ain’t good for you. Cold ain’t good for you”.

“Battle”, opens with a very cool synthesizer rhythm. Then Vif sings emotionally, “Tell me if I say it wrong. Just don’t want to be alone. Reconciliation-wise. I am drowning in your eyes. Make me smile or make me weep. Learning curve is way too steep. I can’t find the words to say. Maybe I was born insane. How would I ever make it right? Win the battle but skip the fight. Tell me if I say it wrong. Guess you knew it all along. Why am I so terrified. There’s no darkness without light. I just want to make it right. Maybe we were born this way. Pain, I know you will fade in time.” Great danceable rhythm, with a familiar synthesizer sound, which I cannot place, but it acts as a wonderful support, to Vif’s vocal dance through the lyrics.

“Exorcism”, is not as dark as you might have thought. It is about finding someone who understands you and wants to work together. It is all set to rhythmic percussive synthesizers. Vif sings, “You broke into my life. While I was trying to survive. And now I tasted paradise. Can’t go back in time. Every time you left the town. You threw me back to square one. And I’ve been losing my ability. To tolerate reality. Now you left me on my own. My life is not in my control. You must’ve put a spell on me. So I can’t find my way to be. I can’t figure it out. I tried everything now. I can’t get over it. You opened me to new sensations. I trembled with anticipation. You brought me up you span me ’round. And now I’m falling down. You broke into my mind. You took me to the other side. And now I tasted paradise. You know it can’t be exorcised”. A very positive track, full of cool vocalizations from Vif that will burn into your memory. She sounds like a siren from the sea, at times. So absolutely genius.

“Farewell”, is the album closer, and longest song. It opens with slow played keyboards and Vif singing; like from a cinematic, movie soundtrack, “I’m closing the door. I’m facing myself. I’m closing myself. I’m facing the wall. I’m waiting inside. I’m biding my time. I’m leaving behind. What burdens my mind. Farewell my old life. Farewell. I’m taking a new phase. I’m searching for new ways. Can’t promise anything. Do you hear me. Are you just hiding inside. Take my hand and never let go. Are you just hiding inside? Do you hear me ahh?” The piano and keyboards are some of the best on the album. They create sounds that are absolutely hypnotizing.

The Nation of One, is an amazing album and peek into the psyche of this band. I do hear the beginnings of their trek from Russia, as well as their path towards more innovative keyboards and vocalizations, which can be heard on the next act, “Sentimental Craving for Beauty”. This album’s high points for me were, “Dust”, “Trust”, “Shadows”, “Reflection”, “Battle”, “Exorcism”, and “Farewell”. I would recommend this album to anyone. However, I would also recommend that they also purchase Sentimental Craving for Beauty. I mixed the two albums and played the playlist as if it were one huge album. That was not only fun, because I varied the playback order, but it was also an engaging experience, which I recommend you try; once you own both albums. (Which you surely will, once you hear either one). A Nation of One, is a very difficult place or person to be. However, VEiiLA have provided the key, map or answer, as to how to navigate through and beyond it.

Album Track List: