Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 24-year-old singer-songwriter Valeree, aka Megan Mortensen, introduces her new single, “Dive,” following on the heels of the smoldering “Any Other Way.”
Influenced by Etta James and Amy Winehouse, Valeree got her start in music performing in venues in Pittsburgh. Still a teenager, she fell into the spider’s web of substance abuse, followed by an arrest and hospitalization. At the age of 16, she entered a rehab program in Los Angeles, where she began writing songs as catharsis. The release she discovered in songwriting paved her way to achieving self-knowledge.
She decided to stay in L.A. and started performing in clubs under a pseudonym, while at the same time refining her songwriting. In 2019, she hooked up with Adam Allison and Danny Balistocky on her debut project, encompassing five singles, including her debut single, “Masochist,” an affecting retro-soul-flavored doo-wop tune.
With her evocative voice, rich and mesmerizing, along with her innovative blend of R&B, pop, soul, blues, and Motown elements, her music exudes both contemporary and vintage savors, resulting in alluring concoctions.
The forthcoming year will see Valeree releasing a series of sumptuous new singles, along with working on an EP. In an interview with BTRtoday’s Elena Childers, she revealed, “I’ve got a few more singles coming up in early 2020, so definitely stay tuned for that. I’ll be getting back into the studio in the next couple of months to record my first EP, which you can expect later this year. I’m hoping to start playing some festivals and just generally play live more often—especially if you live around L.A., be on the lookout. I definitely want to get to recording a [full-length] album. I already have a concept and several songs written for it. Then go on tour for that album, but I’m trying to take on one thing at a time right now.”
“Dive” opens on a measured visceral rhythm topped by guitars dripping thick bluesy textures, as Valeree’s gorgeously sensual voice delivers bewitchingly alluring timbres brimming with tantalizing nuances. The viscous undulations of the melody, rolling and lush, discharge passionate apostrophes full of authentic emotional bouquets.
Dark and aching with wistful colors, “Dive” burns with a sense of imminent longing and heartbreak, highlighted by the scrummy voice of Valeree.
Valeree Social Links: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Spotify
