The highly anticipated fifth studio album from LA-based vocalist, pianist, and composer Niia, titled ‘V’, has officially arrived via Candid Records. Released on October 10, 2025, ‘V’ marks a significant moment in contemporary music news, presenting a deeply personal and genre-defying exploration of desire, heartbreak, and self-awareness. This pivotal record is the culmination of years spent experimenting at the intersection of tradition and reinvention, resulting in a sound that is both raw and cinematic.
A Spectrum of Self: Embracing the Chaos Within
‘V’ delves into the full spectrum of the self, unflinchingly examining themes of self-harm, self-delusion, and self-awareness. Niia describes the album’s core as the inherent contradiction between heartbreak and self-blame, which she identifies as truth. “The good and bad live side by side, often in the same verse,” Niia explains. “One minute I’m performing heartbreak like it’s a role I’ve rehearsed, the next I’m quietly admitting I caused the whole thing. That contradiction is the truth.” This honest portrayal of human complexity positions ‘V’ as a profoundly intimate listening experience, one that doesn’t shy away from the messiness of emotional residue.
Harmonic Language and Cinematic Atmospheres
Niia, a classically trained musician with a background steeped in Italian cinema, draws heavily from her diverse influences on ‘V’. She specifically cites the harmonic language of jazz pianists like Bill Evans and the psychological atmosphere of film scores as key inspirations. This unique blend is evident throughout the album, where electronic textures of experimental pop intertwine with the dynamic interplay of live, jazz-rooted musicianship. The arrangements are described as stretching—sometimes restrained, sometimes theatrical—but always intentional. The music itself acts as a narrative, leaning into space and letting harmony suggest emotional shifts.
Tracks That Define the Edge
Among the standout tracks is “Pianos and Great Danes,” a bold anthem that explores sex as an escape, driven by an irresistible drum ‘n’ bass groove. Niia describes this song as “closer to a film score than anything from the Great American Songbook,” written like a monologue with chord changes that embrace a “chaotic feeling where the only way out is to melt through the track.” Another notable piece is “Ronny Cammareri,” a slow-burning instrumental named after Nicolas Cage’s character in the film Moonstruck, showcasing Niia’s ability to create atmosphere without lyrics. The album also features a reimagined version of the 1946 jazz standard “Angel Eyes,” originally by Matt Dennis and Earl B. Brent, offering a fresh, modern take on a classic.
A Modern Jazz Singer for a New Era
Produced by Spencer Zahn (known for his work with Dawn Richard and Empress Of) and Lawrence Rothman (who has collaborated with artists like Angel Olsen and Kali Uchis), ‘V’ is a full-circle moment for Niia. The album answers the lingering question: “What does a modern Jazz singer sound like?” Niia is not looking to simply revive jazz standards or embrace vintage glamour; instead, she is “dragging the genre into the present and letting it bleed.” She aims to be a “disruptor,” making a statement in her genre by creating music that is “cinematic, emotionally raw, and subtly subversive.” The album lives in the tension between control and collapse, a deliberate choice reflecting Niia’s desire to write songs that could hold both extremes.
Personal Journey and Artistic Evolution
‘V’ is presented as Niia’s most personal record to date, a testament to her artistic evolution. While previous works like ‘II: La Bella Vita’ explored heartbreak after relationships, ‘V’ delves deeper into the internal landscapes of self-perception. Niia’s vocal delivery itself is a key element, praised for its ability to float, crack, hover, and cut with precise emotional weight, living in a quiet tension between restraint and revelation. The album’s cover art, featuring Niia adorned with a heretic’s fork—an instrument of medieval torture for those who spoke out against dogma—further symbolizes her stance against conformity and her embrace of challenging norms. This release solidifies Niia’s position as a compelling voice in contemporary music, and its raw honesty and innovative sound make it a top contender for critical attention and a trending subject among discerning listeners.
Niia’s ‘V’ is more than just an album; it’s an invitation to explore the complex, often chaotic, terrain of the human psyche, presented through a soundscape that is both captivating and groundbreaking.
