The Swedish band ViVii has unveiled their third studio album, 'I thought I would be somewhere else by now', set for release on January 29, 2027 via Dumont Dumont. ViVii, consisting of multi-instrumentalists Caroline Jonsson, Emil Jonsson, and Anders Eckeborn, has garnered attention since their 2018 debut for their dreamy soundscapes and careful approach to pop music. Their distinctive style has received acclaim from both critics and audiences.
The new album promises a deeply immersive listening experience with 11 tracks following an emotional arc from darkness to a cautious, uplifting light. Thematically and in terms of arrangements, ViVii takes musical steps into uncharted territory. "The album title speaks for itself. It summarizes where we are now—a place we couldn't really have imagined," reflects Caroline Jonsson about the album's theme.
Innovative Collaboration and Evolved Sound
This time, the band focused on a more experimental creative process. Producer Johan Eckeborn's intensified collaboration has significantly influenced the album's direction through more complex and challenging sonic worlds. The members often worked remotely—physically separated but united by a shared vision—resulting in unconventional arrangements and new textures. Emil Jonsson describes the change from the band’s earlier minimalist expression: "It used to be mostly guitar, vocals, drum machine, and a bit of bass—very simple. This album became so much more, a real band project where Johan’s background as a drummer influenced the development."
The interplay between old and new is evident in the leading single 'Down the River', released alongside the album announcement. At over six minutes, the song begins with gently plucked guitars before gradually expanding into an electronic, ambient sonic journey. This mirrors the album's dual nature—organic and intimate meeting experimental and bold—and highlights how the collaboration between Anders Eckeborn’s guitar playing and Johan’s production creates a seamless fabric between various expressions.
The recording process was as unpredictable as the music itself. Caroline Jonsson relates with a smile how parts of 'Down the River' were born in a laundry room—an example of both the limitations and creative opportunities of working from home and at a distance. “It became a different kind of journey this time. We simply had to use what was available,” she describes of the spontaneous workflow that characterizes the album.
Since their breakthrough, ViVii has established themselves as a unique voice on the international indie pop scene. The debut album quickly amassed over 25 million streams and attracted attention from outlets including BBC6, Line of Best Fit, and Wonderland. Tours with bands like Alt-J have further enhanced their reputation. ViVii has often been compared to Lana Del Rey, Sufjan Stevens, and Beach House, yet carries a distinctively Swedish character.
With 'I thought I would be somewhere else by now', ViVii continues to develop their expression without compromising the qualities that have captivated listeners worldwide. The album balances fragile optimism and sharp self-reflection atop cinematic soundscapes and carefully interwoven harmonies—a testament to a band that has reinvented itself and emerges stronger than ever.
