The EP is deeply personal, capturing the emotional spectrum of love, self-discovery, and purpose through a sense of optimism and vulnerability.
With ‘Wasting Time’, Viramontes plays with emotional contradictions; knowing she’s making a mistake, but leaning into it anyway. The track opens with a behind-the-scenes pre-recording, offering a personal, DIY feel, and then transitions straight into an immersive, dreamy pop sequence that blends electronic-leaning rhythms with a distinctive synth and steady drum, creating a sound that both pulses and drifts.
The next track, ‘Just Might’ takes a stripped-down, acoustic approach, featuring a soft, airy guitar that is both pretty and persistent, serving as the emotional backbone of the song. Reading like a diary entry, with Illianna’s thoughts spilling out in real time, as if she is trying to stay composed whilst admitting she’s already lost control. There’s a quiet urgency in her delivery, with the use of repetition feeling as though she is trying to convince herself of restraint, even as her emotions slip past her own defences, (“I don’t want to say it first / holding onto every word you say / I don’t want to move too fast / I don’t want to get attached / too late…too late”).
‘How To Forget’ opens with echoing and hollow instrumentals that set a haunting, introspective tone. This soundscape initially feels distant, layered with a white-noise texture to cleverly create a sense of emotional numbness. However, this ambient haze slowly becomes clear, and a repetitive melody takes over with Ilianna’s vocals bringing warmth - yet a coldness still lingers. Lyrically, the track explores the struggles of moving on after a breakup, the internal battle of letting go but still holding on (“and every word that you said on the night that you left / But I can’t remember how to forget”).
The final offering from the EP, 'A Year From Now’, bursts with energy and a buoyant rhythm, and bright melodies that radiate optimism. However, beneath the track’s lively surface, a sense of doubt and worry (“I know I keep running my mouth / But you make me so nervous I can’t hear my thoughts… I don’t want to cross a line if I touch your hand, tell me it's fine…What if I told you I’ve been picturing us a year from now?”). A heartfelt plea for reassurance and clarity, the track moves seamlessly between moments of tender reflection and spirited confidence, capturing both the thrill of a new love and the fear of losing it. It is a brutally honest, yet beautiful portrayal of vulnerability in new love.
With this EP, Ilianna Viramontes masterfully balances personal storytelling with universal emotion, effortlessly blending sincerity and self-awareness, but still crafting deeply relatable songs. What is so endearing about ‘For a Reason’ is how she captures love, loss, and the in-between moments. It’s a thoughtful and emotionally rich collection.
Ana Joy King
Image: ‘For a Reason’ Official EP Cover
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