J0VANNA is not just singing. She's conjuring. On "Aphrodite," her new single, she sends a fiercely poised anthem up into the stratosphere as she sifts through influences (modern R&B, neo-soul, pop) and feelings (self-worth, divine femininity) to create a lavish burst of uplift. It is a song that cries for empowerment.
"Aphrodite" establishes a mood from the very first moments. The production is rich but intimate, pulling listeners into a groove that is at once timeless and new. The neo-soul textures and retro-soul references drape themselves over the melody like silk, and there are enough pop flourishes to give the whole thing a shimmer that makes it feel fresh and addictive. It's the sort of song to play on repeat for the feeling it gives you. The lyrics don't pull any punches. Instead, they confront the demands of contemporary beauty and identity head-on, taking down the perfected curation on social media with a rebellious spirit of truthfulness and soulful defiance. J0VANNA plays into the mythology of "Aphrodite" to allude to beauty to refer to it and take it back for herself. The message here is evident.
The song's gloss is no mistake. "Aphrodite" was mixed by Terrence Rolle (Tracksion) and Mastered by multi-GRAMMY ® Award-Winning Producer and Engineer Frank Socorro. Having become legendary for his work on Amy Winehouse's Back to Black, Socorro brings that same warmth and analog soul to this song, with J0VANNA's voice front and center, as it should be. His touch and credits with stars like Mary J. Blige, Lauryn Hill, and Lenny Kravitz add gravitas to a song that was already a standout release.