Speaking of the strength and fragility of women, I remembered my recent visit to my good friend who is passionate about landscape design. I love visiting her and relaxing in her vast garden, which she lovingly calls “Aphrodite.” In creating it, she thoroughly studied the subtle strings of female nature and revealed its infinite complexity through garden architecture. As I wandered along the sandy paths of this garden, I thought about the conflict that a woman experiences in her relationship with the world and herself, which cannot be described “in a few words.” In such moments of reflection, music always helps me, so this time I turned on the music app on my phone and pressed the “play” button. My choice, intuitively, fell on the album “Femmeland,” released on April 12, 2024, by the Greek avant-garde performer and producer VASSIŁINA. Most likely, I was drawn to the name VASSILINA, so mythical, so unique. VASSIŁINA has established herself as a strong figure in the avant-garde pop world of Athens, known for her musical narratives combining elements of pop style with dark electronic sound. “Femmeland” is a collection of 13 electronic tracks in the dark-pop style. The artistic direction of “Femmeland” is based on the mythical inspiration of the Greek legend of Circe, a sorceress, daughter of Helios, the god of the Sun, and the ocean nymph Perse.

Photographed by Costas Simos

The first track of this album, “RU Ready,” unfolded mysterious images and sounds before me, as if I were drawn into another world. In its sounds, there was a mysterious energy that magnetically transported me into another reality. Under the influence of the second track, “I Think I’m Dying Here,” I find myself captivated by this music, lost in a space where time loses its power, and only sounds guide my inner compass. The first two tracks serve as an introduction to a world where reality intertwines with fantasy, and music is the only truth. Continuing this mystical theme, the single “Crooked,” framed by musical riffs, tells the story of Circe, who renounces her father “the Sun” and chooses mortality, overcoming the norms of patriarchal chains and her own ego. This reflective ballad gave me an answer to the question “Where is that boundary in my life that I constantly have to face: difficulties, failures, losses, self-doubt.” The singer supported the release of the single “Crooked” with a breathtaking music video directed by Giorgos Athanasiou, in which VASSIŁINA embodies the image of Circe. Well, let’s move on, and I assure you, you won’t regret it.

“Femmeland,” this song evoked a wave of emotions in me from the first seconds. My heart seemed to respond to every note, every word. VASSIŁINA wrote this song in response to the horrifying events happening in Greece, the murders of women. This song is permeated with a desire to create a safe place where one can hide from danger and fear. “Femmeland” seemed to me like a metaphorical island where one can escape from the weight of the real world. Imagination painted a picture of a mythical place where nymphs and women coexisted in harmony. And the thought struck me that women are not alone, that we need to support each other through art, through music. The single “2 Kisses” left a special resonance in me, in it VASSIŁINA tells the story of Circe, exploring her dark depths and how society perceives this personality in combination with her tender nature. This time she sings in Greek, which gives the song a strong mythological atmosphere. It sounds captivating!

Photographed by Costas Simos

The final track, “Cheers,” is a true embodiment of brightness and infinity. This track simply amazes with its sophistication. It is a world full of mysteries and excitements. VASSIŁINA’s voice is like waves, relentlessly crashing on the shores, as if breaking and creating new vocal shades. Most of the songs on the album are permeated with a sense of the fleetingness of life’s moments; it creates its own dark and unique world of musical reflections that are difficult not to contemplate and subject to self-analysis. This result can be considered innovative in modern pop culture, often oversaturated with commercial stereotypes. It’s wonderful that VASSIŁINA continues to explore various aspects of mythology, bringing such depth and originality to her music.

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