Over the summer, pop star Charlie Puth allegedly stood up Berklee student Noa Vlessing, and Vlessing responded to the cold diss by writing a song about the experience. We believe the key term “dick move” was used.
That song, titled “Oh Charlie”, was a good-natured, humorous, and off-the-cuff jab at a famous person just not having the time for fans, but what it really did was show off Vlessing’s blooming songwriting ability. It made us wonder just what else the young Toronto-born musician had in store, and a few short months later, we have it in “Back In Time”, an ultra-slick and polished alt-pop tune with modern R&B tendencies. We’re premiering it today on Vanyaland, and you can hear it below via Vlessing’s Soundcloud. Be sure to stick around for the video game drop, which, like Joe Flowers’ track “Misused” last week, is bringing some excellent electro- and blip-pop flourishes to a mainstream sound.
And much like Vlessing’s Puth reaction, “Back In Time” is another personal piece.
“I wrote ‘Back in Time’ about unexpectedly running into a person you used to know well, and in the blink of an eye you’re transported back through all your memories to the time you were together,” she tells Vanyaland. “I write most of my songs on guitar, so when I played it for my producer VALNTN it was just a raw outline. We jammed on it and found a beat that fit. When you know, you know — that little feeling inside just clicked. From that point forward it flowed so naturally and the song fell into place.”
Vlessing already possesses the working mind of a songwriter and storyteller. “I think a song needs to take your heart and body somewhere,” she adds. “For me, it’s about the energy you have while creating a work of art and letting that be the driving force.”
“Back In Time” is officially out via iTunes this Sunday, and Vlessing’s November 9 show on the BIRN will be live streamed. In the meantime, wear out that “play” button below and hitch a ride on one of the more exciting young music minds currently residing in Boston.