“Once you fall, you know there is no further way down This is your ticket to turn around…” (The commanding opening lines of ‘ONCE’, the new single from Victoria Bergsman’s solo project, Taken by Trees) In a seemingly complex world of confused politics, anger and violence, Victoria offers a rare jewel to soothe and brighten the darkness. This was at least her commitment with the Taken by Trees forth and latest studio album, ‘Yellow to Blue’, her most playful and hopeful creation to date, lying at the perfect crossroad between indie and commercial. ‘Once’ is a taste of this new musical and emotional headspace, and in a world of trend followers, Victoria Bergman is still distinctly herself; revered for her style and innovativeness, boundless approach to creativity and artistic integrity. As a passionate creator of images to tell stories, she has used the primary colours that surround her life as mother in Southern California (from bright toys to blue skies) to drive the sonic and visual imagery of this stunning 10 track journey; clear, grounding, refreshingly “childish”. And yet, Victoria has held on to her core qualities as an artist in pedalling her dark and mysterious tone while managing to transcend the listener to a quasi-meditational state. The subject of ‘Once’ assumes that dark place Victoria has so often taken us too, about someone in a gruelling relationship with addiction, but her empathic tone of hope and understanding provides a silver lining.. “So take this fall, treat it like a well-meant thought See it as your brand new start Let it guide your wounded heart In my eyes you’re stronger than you’ll ever be Just let your mind wander free You always got a friend in me…” Musically speaking, ’Once’ exemplifies the sonic pop pleasures of ‘Yellow to Blue’: crisp sun-soaked dance beats, gritty driving bass, coasting, relaxed melodies, and hi-fi mixes guide the listener through a full spectrum of human experience. Victoria has elicited the help of producer Jesse Shatkin (Sia, Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson), along with co-writers Ariel Rechtshaid (Hair, Usher), Rostam Batmanglij (Vampire Weekend) and Daniel Nigro (Sky Ferraria). The resulting collection of songs combines the high key, immediate satisfaction of hooks with the intentional, laid back voice we look for in Taken By Trees. A modern sound that marries with Victoria’s new ‘modus operandi’: healing light, primary colours, new beginnings.