After winning over fans with her debut album Perfectly Imperfect, Elle Varner is ready for the world to hear her next album 4 Letter Word. The Grammy-nominated singer released a few cuts from the album last year including “Don’t Wanna Dance,” “Cold Case,” “Little Do You Know,” “See Me Tonight” and the fan favorite “F*ck It All.” Based on the titles alone, it’s obvious Varner has been through a lot since her debut album and plans to share some of her experiences on her next project.
Rated R&B recently caught up with Varner at her show at The Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C. After slaying the stage, the “Refill” singer sat down with us to discuss topics related to 4 Letter Word, her collaboration with rappers, her 2015 vision board and more.
Here are excerpts from our interview:
ON “COLD CASE”: One night I came into the studio and said to the guys…I want something that’s like “Kill Bill” but trap. That’s how I felt. I was upset. I was feeling a certain type of way. It’s one of the fastest songs I’ve ever written.
ON HER PERSONAL EXPERIENCES IMPACTING HER ALBUM: I would say they have completely impacted my album (laughs). And it works both ways because in some ways my album has impacted my life — if that makes sense…I got to make my whole first album with no one knowing who I was or where I came from with all the time in the world. This second album…everyone is watching me and I’m actually going through things while everyone is watching me and saying “Hurry up!”….it’s been a challenge but all challenges ever do is make you stronger.
ON HOW SHE WOULD DESCRIBE “4 LETTER WORD”: Passionate, honest, intense and expressive
ON HER NEW TRACK “NOTHING”: “Nothing” is the first track song I wrote [for 4 Letter Word]. The way this album was written is very linear. It started with that song, a feeling — it’s a very subtle feeling when your lover…little things they do or don’t do that you start to notice. It could be the worst feeling ever and you don’t even know how to say it. It’s almost like a phantom feeling because there’s nothing concrete to say you did this.
ON HER SECOND ALBUM: I feel like I’ve been carrying a child for two years — I don’t even know what it’s like to carry a child for nine months — but I’m ready to get this mother f—a out and move on to the next thing. This album doesn’t define me or who I am or what genre I am, it captures the moment I was in at the time.
ON HER 2015 VISION BOARD: A number one album, TV performances, world tour and I wanna buy my nana a red Mercedes convertible. She’s getting old. I’ve got to do that.
Watch the full interview below:
