Sometimes, you stumble across an artist who feels like they're waiting to be discovered. Vita, an emerging singer from Sydney, Australia, has been quietly making waves on TikTok with gritty, self-made visuals that complement her music's mood and energy. Her debut album, Xotic, is an intriguing first step — familiar in some ways but still managing to carve out its own lane.

At its core, Xotic is a love record exploring attraction, desire, and the complexities of human connection. Vita's smooth, R&B vocals bring intimacy to tracks like Sayless and Butterflies — the latter being the song that first caught my ear before the album even dropped. There's something magnetic about her voice, cutting through the gritty production to make tracks feel personal, even when the lyrics sometimes lean on repetition and familiar ideas.

Musically, Vita draws from a wide range of influences — Rihanna's Anti and SZA's Ctrl immediately come to mind, along with hints of Kevin Parker's dreamy guitar work. You can hear it in the way distorted basslines and layered instrumentation create a hazy, textured sound. Tracks like SAFE4ME showcase her vocal range, while Savior, a softer moment featuring Smino, offers a glimpse of her more vulnerable side (though Smino's contribution feels too brief).

What stands out is the production. It's not flashy or overdone but cohesively blends elements from different genres. The basslines and distorted guitars throughout the record lend an edgy texture, grounding the more ethereal elements. The guitars, in particular, add a rawness that cuts through the smoother R&B foundation, while the drums — especially the heavy bass drum kicks on certain tracks — help punctuate her lyrics with sharp, rhythmic emphasis. There's a nostalgic quality — almost like it's pulling from the early 2010s — yet Vita keeps it fresh by tying everything together with her unique voice.

That said, Xotic isn't without its flaws. Some tracks don't stick as much as others, and while the album feels cohesive, it doesn't exactly break new ground. Vita leans heavily on her influences, which works in her favour most of the time, but it doesn't always feel like she's fully stepped into her own yet.

Still, Xotic feels like a solid foundation — an album with enough personality to capture your attention and keep you listening. Vita's voice and thoughtful production choices hint at an exciting future for the artist, making this debut a promising start.