Last fall, Valerie Lighthart—a musician who also has a background in photography, writing, acting, and modeling—announced her intentions to release a new EP in 2021. The motivated Milwaukee multi-hyphenate did so by putting out “Savoir,” a single from that forthcoming EP, PT I: THE GODDESS. That track and another rambunctious offering called “Love & Money” seemed to set the tone for an EP full of lively pop songs with memorable hooks and shimmering production.
While those elements are definitely present on the four-song release, Lighthart also wanted to strip away some layers and expose listeners to a more emotional side of her music. According to Lighthart, the most “personal and intimate” turn of PT I: THE GODDESS occurs in a song called “Gilded.” The track—which is also Lighthart’s introduction to producing—gives a raw and deconstructed glimpse of the up-and-coming artist’s inner workings with lilting vocals, emotionally exposed lyrics, and delicate guitar work.
Before Lighthart releases PT I: THE GODDESS (the first EP in her upcoming By Moonlight trilogy) on June 18, you can listen to “Gilded” below. You can also pre-save the EP here. Lighthart will formally celebrate the release of PT I: THE GODDESS with a July 9 concert at Cactus Club, where she’ll be joined by You Win !!!, Black Challenger, Dora Diamond, and a burlesque after-party. The singer says to expect “costumes, set pieces, and a fun theatricality to the evening.”