South African alt pop powerhouse Cece Vee has seen a string of success stories over the short span of her career so far, steadily growing her global fanbase with international playlist placements, a sync placement in US TV show Good Trouble, blog features in EARMILK, as well as a SAMA (South African Music Awards) nomination for Artist of the Year.
The release of her highly anticipated second EP This Wasteland follows growing praise after the release of her dark sci-fi alternative track “Funeral for the World” and electro pop ballad “Wishes” earlier in 2023.
This Wasteland, produced by Paul Gala of Bad Future, is a conceptual EP that explores heartbreak, mental health and the state of the world through a dystopian/post-apocalyptic lens. The ‘wasteland’ represents a feeling of emptiness after heartbreak, struggling with depression and anxiety, or just as a reaction to the state of the world we live in.
Cece Vee comments on This Wasteland
“It’s important to allow yourself to go through these emotions when they hit you in order to heal. We are living in a world that takes so much out of us. The way forward is to go through, and we have to take that difficult journey and cross that desolate place to forge our own way out.”
The lead single “Holiday” is an upbeat dance-pop track with a hint of retro 80s influence, describing the monotony of day-to-day life and longing for more.
Cece Vee comments on the track
“Many people go through the work week like zombies, feeling burnt out and going through the motions until the sweet freedom of the weekend rolls around. As a creative person, I can’t stand doing the same thing every single day. It’s important to take a break when you can and do what sparks joy for you so that you can experience a fulfilling and joyful reality, and really LIVE.”
The visually stunning music video (produced by Joshua Cookson and co-directed by Cookson and Vee) is an enthralling art piece that transports the viewer into Cece’s world.
Cece Vee explains the video
“The idea was based around going about your everyday, mundane routine, and trying to find ways to break free from those constraints. Life can become very dull and monotonous, and we have to find our own way to add colour. We are constantly weighed down by stress and anxiety that hinder our ability to relax.”
“When planning the video, the image of myself floating in a swimming pool while wearing a suit immediately came to mind, like a person who is supposed to be on holiday but can’t switch off, and we built the rest of the scenes around that initial idea. It’s very abstract and visual, with the underlying themes hidden in the small visual details.”
Check out the video below:
An otherworldly experience, from the opening dance-pop banger to the closing atmospheric acoustic track, Cece Vee’s This Wasteland perfectly captures and builds upon Cece’s signature alternative retro pop sound. Both innovative in sound and concept, with captivating and deeply personal lyrics, it is the ultimate escapism, bound to transport you to another world.
You can stream / download Cece Vee’s This Wasteland HERE.
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