This week’s One to Watch is the beautiful  ‘Cigarette’ by Brit singer Victoria Port

You may already recognise Victoria Port’s voice as half of Anushka, and her collaborations with El Train, J-Felix, Hemai & more. Today, she ventures on a new journey with the single “Cigarette”, out via First Word Records.

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!”.

“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 suppose, at its core, the song is about not loving yourself enough, which is a theme I touch on throughout the forthcoming EP,”Victoria shares.

We’re blessed with a hazy production – dusty drums & woozy synths/guitars, alongside her delicate warm vocals. “Cigarette” holds a surprise at the end, too – the song takes an experimental & trippy jazz turn. on which she elaborates, “I wanted the outro section to be a sonic expression of all the frustration and anger you feel when realizing you’re only hurting because you allowed yourself to be hurt.”

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 out now digitally , released through First World Records. 

Follow Victoria on her socials: 

Insta : @victoriaportmusic