L.A. native Cassandra Violet’s new single “Superbloom” is a psychedelic folk-pop dreamscape of friendships and flowers wrapped in a scathing critique of modern social media. Produced by Joe Berry of M83, this song found its inspiration in ‘70s Harry Nilsson and Joshua Tree National Park. Violet’s haunting and beautiful music has been featured in films and series including Ozark (Netflix), Und
Every spring in Southern California, hillsides are covered in a spectacular fiery orange as the poppies bloom. Thousands of people flock to these vibrant hills to see (and take their photo with) the superbloom. This song illustrates how social media, like a drug, has ruined Violet’s mind.
“The performative nature of social media gives me this high, and then makes me feel terrible.” Violet says. “It’s a little show and we’re all waiting for cheers from the audience. Last year, it seemed like everyone I knew went to the desert to see the superbloom. I forgot to go until it was over, and I was angry with myself. Then I thought, do I actually want to see the flowers, or do I just want to post a picture in front of them?”
“I bake cakes just to post them on Instagram,” says Violet, “and it makes me feel proud. I do lots of things just to post them. I know social media was designed to bring people together but sometimes I feel like it does just the opposite. I got tired of feeling bad about myself and comparing myself to everyone else, so I wrote a song about it.”
The psychological effects of social media is becoming a common theme in art and culture, from films like Eighth Grade to the Black Mirror episode “Nosedive.” Studies have found a direct correlation between depression and time spent on social media. Violet’s music has always held a mirror up to where a woman stands in society, and “Superbloom” illuminates this modern issue that has us constantly questioning our own identity.
Glide is thrilled to premiere “Superbloom” from this rising singer-songwriter heroine, a mix of Jenny Lewis’ Laurel Canyon nods and St. Vincent’s eclectic experimentalism. “Superbloom” goes above and beyond with its ambitious five minute plus psych/folk structure, filled with virtuosic urgency and a concluding must hear guitar “space” jam. It’s been said and done repeatedly, but “Superbloom” is a really a must-hear…
