Review: "Sweet Blue Moon" - Victoria Staff

Waltz into a dreamy, yet utterly realistic story of youthful romance with “Sweet Blue Moon” from artist Victoria Staff. Staff gives listeners insight into a relationship that details both the upsides & downsides of a young romantic connection. While the upsides are dream-like and have extremely high highs, the downsides replicate the same intensity but for low, difficult points. With an indie-alternative feel and layered writing, listening to “Sweet Blue Moon” reminds me of the experience of going into a secondhand store and finding someone’s love note embedded on an old postcard. Staff’s songwriting and tone are both delicate and a force to be reckoned with, showcasing that she is multifaceted - as is this romance (and many others) are. “Sweet Blue Moon” softly balances the joys and comfort of falling in love at a young age, then transitions and displays how time and personal conflicts can impact a relationship. This balance in the track is not only impressive to carry out as a musician/writer, but additionally presents Staff’s realistic knowledge of love & relationships. Personally, this song spoke to me with its realistic yet artistic presentation, and I believe it will impact many, many others. 

While Staff brilliantly executes her songwriting in “Sweet Blue Moon”, the overall sound and feel of the song is unique and stands out in the world of pop music. Cleverly all connected, the title itself - “Sweet Blue Moon” - alludes to memory-protruding experiences that happen every once in a while. As listeners go through these rare experiences alongside Staff, they will additionally witness the beautiful, confusing aftermath of this passed moments. Down to the guitar tone, a very forward part of this song, you witness an acknowledgement and acceptance of complex emotion. It is undeniable that the vulnerability in this track is palpable and present in its every aspect. Although love and connections through romance vary by person, there is a type of nostalgia and emotional acknowledgment that can relate to many. As you explore the sweet, realistic world of “Sweet Blue Moon”, going forward, you will not be able to tear yourself away from Staff’s talent and ability to dig deep into pure emotion. 

Victoria Staff is a singer-songwriter born and raised in Toronto, ON. Following the obtaining of her degree in Behavioral Neuroscience from UBC, Staff decided that this field was not the path of her true calling. After growing up surrounded by music and wanting to start a side project, Staff began playing shows in Vancouver for “beer money,” but quickly discovered that she may have found her true calling. A multi-talented artist with the ability to play guitar, piano, banjo, and ukulele, Staff is inspired by artists such as Hozier, Gregory Alan Isakov, and Taylor Swift. Her 2023 EP release, Records & Honesty, is a true reflection of the heartfelt labor and emotional experiences Staff has gone through and put into the project. Through creating her music, Staff hopes that people can “find therapy” within listening to it in the same fashion as she did while creating it. Currently, Staff is releasing music - such as “Sweet Blue Moon” - that speaks to her lived experiences and emotional maturity. 

Written By Madison Spies

FOLLOW VICTORIA STAFF:

Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube