Crisanto Ramos Jr

From “Champagne Flying” to “Slow Burner” — VARITDA unveils the next chapter of 'Champagne Cherry' with a world-class creative team.

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One Music PH EXCLUSIVE: Thai Pop-R&B-Jazz Fusion Artist VARITDA

<div style="text-align:justify">From “Champagne Flying” to “Slow Burner” — VARITDA unveils the next chapter of &#x27;Champagne Cherry&#x27; with a world-class creative team.</div><div style="text-align:justify"> </div>Varitda Bhirombhakdi (known simply as VARITDA) is a Thai artist blending contemporary pop and R&amp;B with the elegance and musicality of jazz. Beginning her musical journey in standard jazz before moving through softer lo-fi textures into a more dynamic pop-driven sound, she continues to carry jazz at the heart of her artistry. Known for her sultry vocals and emotionally rich delivery, her music bridges the timeless charm of classic jazz with contemporary pop and lo-fi influences, creating a sound that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly current. <div style="text-align:justify"> </div>Often described as pop jazz, VARITDA’s sound draws from beloved jazz standards while incorporating modern grooves and ambient textures, positioning her as a unique bridge between generations of music listeners. As she continues to evolve artistically, she explores new sounds and directions while remaining grounded in the jazz roots that first shaped her musical identity. Jazz is where she began. Pop is where she is now. And the journey is still unfolding.<div style="text-align:justify"> </div>After introducing listeners to the liberating glow of “CHAMPAGNE FLYING,” she returns with “SLOW BURNER” — the second taste from her upcoming album CHAMPAGNE CHERRY, a project that blends contemporary pop R&amp;B with refined jazz influences through an international-scale production.  <div style="text-align:justify"> </div>Released under Melodic Corner, a label under Music Move Co., Ltd., CHAMPAGNE CHERRY represents VARITDA’s boldest artistic direction yet: emotionally intimate, sonically sophisticated, and carefully crafted with collaborators from across the global music scene. Every stage of the production — from songwriting and recording to mixing and mastering — was shaped with meticulous attention to detail.<div style="text-align:justify"> </div>The journey began with “CHAMPAGNE FLYING,” a feel-good anthem about moving on gracefully after heartbreak and celebrating the freedom that follows. Wrapped in pop R&amp;B with touches of hip-hop rhythm, retro soul textures, and contemporary jazz sensibilities, the track introduced the album’s sparkling personality with confidence and charm.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zvsI0DMk428?si=230d7tmwNwO_vLGt" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div style="text-align:justify"> </div><div style="text-align:justify"></div>Now, the story deepens with “SLOW BURNER,” a track that embraces patience, emotional tension, and the beauty of letting love unfold naturally. Built around a laid-back groove, subtle instrumental layers, and intimate late-night energy, the song captures the feeling of choosing connection over urgency — where every moment lingers long enough to leave a lasting impression. Staying grounded in pop R&amp;B while weaving in jazz elements, “SLOW BURNER” reveals a softer, more emotionally nuanced side of the album.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0Xc-COPnUSU?si=xmRKFQkkJTWTpwyy" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div style="text-align:justify"> </div>At its core, CHAMPAGNE CHERRY revolves around the theme of confession — the quiet unraveling of emotions and inner thoughts. The album draws a metaphor between life and a cherry resting inside a glass of champagne: slowly absorbing its surroundings, softening over time, and eventually revealing a richer, more honest version of itself. In the same way, the project explores how people gradually open up when the timing, atmosphere, and emotions feel just right.<div style="text-align:justify"> </div>Further elevating the project is its internationally renowned creative team. British producer Nick Tsang — whose credits include Backstreet Boys, Ed Sheeran, Charli XCX, and Jess Glynne’s 5x Platinum hit “Take Me Home” — played a key role in shaping the sound of the album. The project also features acclaimed engineers Charlie Holmes (mixing) and Simon Francis (mastering), known for their work on The Art of Loving by Olivia Dean.<div style="text-align:justify"> </div>All tracks from CHAMPAGNE CHERRY were recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London — the iconic studio where The Beatles created some of the most influential music in modern history. <div style="text-align:justify"> </div>One Music PH had an exclusive online conversation with VARITDA:<div style="text-align:justify"> </div>One Music PH: &quot;Can you please tell us the story, inspiration, message, and the creative process behind &#x27;Slow Burner&#x27;?&quot;VARITDA: “&#x27;Slow Burner&#x27; is really about emotional patience. It’s about loving, healing, and growing in a way that doesn’t happen overnight. The inspiration actually came from who I am as a person. I’ve always been someone who likes to take things slowly. I don’t really like rushing to the destination too fast. I enjoy every little moment while it’s happening, because I think those small moments are sometimes the most meaningful part of the journey. That feeling became the heart of the song. &#x27;Slow Burner&#x27; talks about emotions that grow slowly over time instead of happening all at once. This song was also part of my journey in London while working on my album Champagne Cherry. We recorded at Abbey Road Studios, and honestly, that whole experience really inspired me emotionally and creatively. For this project, I wanted to try something different from my usual process. I worked with international writers and producers because I was curious to see how different perspectives and experiences would shape the music compared to what I normally do myself. The whole creative process felt very natural and immersive. A lot of the sessions started from conversations, feelings, and moods first, before turning them into music. Sonically, I wanted the song to feel warm, intimate, and emotional. Almost like a small flame slowly growing stronger little by little. The message behind the song is simple. Not everything meaningful has to happen quickly. Sometimes the most beautiful things take time to unfold naturally.&quot;<div> </div>One Music PH: &quot;Who are your musical influences? Do you consider yourself an old soul?&quot; VARITDA: &quot;I actually started my musical journey with classical music when I was very young, and later I became really connected to jazz. I grew up listening to a lot of jazz music, so I think that naturally shaped the way I hear melodies, emotions, and atmosphere in music today. In the beginning, I did jazz covers in my Mood 1, 2, and 3 projects, and last year I started exploring more lo-fi jazz sounds. This year, my music slowly evolved into something more pop jazz, neo-soul, and a little bit of R&amp;B, which you can definitely hear in &#x27;Slow Burner.&#x27; I think the jazz influence is still very present in the way I approach music emotionally. Jazz taught me a lot about softness, space, restraint, and feeling. Then soul and R&amp;B added more warmth and emotional depth into the sound. So “Slow Burner” became this mix of everything I grew up loving musically. Some of my influences are artists like Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Norah Jones, Sade, Selena Jones, Laufey, and Amy Winehouse, who blend soul, jazz, and modern pop elements in a very emotional and timeless way. And yes, I think I probably am an old soul. I’m very nostalgic as a person. I enjoy taking things slowly and appreciating small moments, and I think that naturally becomes part of both my music and visuals too.&quot;<div> </div>One Music PH: Based on the title of your album and your first single, what is your fixation with &#x27;champagne&#x27;? VARITDA: &quot;I think champagne became a symbol for this era more than just the drink itself, and that’s why it keeps appearing throughout the project. The idea of Champagne Cherry actually started from the image of a cherry sitting inside a glass of champagne. I kept thinking about how the cherry slowly absorbs everything around it, and overtime it becomes softer and changed by its environment. I thought that was such a beautiful metaphor for people and emotions. For me, the champagne represents emotions, atmosphere, memories, and even certain people in our lives. Sometimes when you’re surrounded by the right people or in the right moment, you slowly open up without even realizing it. You become softer, more vulnerable, and more honest. You start sharing secrets, personal stories, or emotions that you normally keep hidden. I think we all slowly absorb the energy and experiences around us, and sometimes those things quietly change who we are over time. That idea also connects a lot to &#x27;Slow Burner,&#x27; because both the album and the song talk about transformation that happens slowly and naturally instead of instantly. So it’s not really a fixation with champagne itself. I think I’m more fascinated by vulnerability, emotional intimacy, and the way people quietly influence each other.&quot;<div> </div>One Music PH: &quot;Do you feel that you’re ready for world domination? (Laughs)&quot;VARITDA:  &quot;I don’t know about world domination yet, but I do feel ready to share my music and creative world with more people internationally. For me, success has never really been about being the loudest artist in the room. I care more about creating something honest that people can emotionally connect with, no matter where they’re from. I think this project gave me a lot more confidence creatively. Working in London, recording at Abbey Road, and collaborating with international creatives made me realize that music and emotions are such universal things. You don’t always need to come from the same place or speak the same language to feel connected to a song. So I don’t think about &#x27;dominating&#x27; the world, honestly. I think I just want to keep building my own world slowly and naturally, and hopefully people will continue growing with me through the music.&quot;<div> </div>One Music PH: &quot;Throughout your career, have you ever felt that there have always been glass ceilings that you need to break? How close do you feel you are in getting rid of these?&quot;VARITDA: &quot;Definitely, but honestly, I think the biggest glass ceiling has always been myself. A lot of the pressure came from my own thoughts, my own expectations, and sometimes even my fear of not being good enough yet. I think as an artist, it’s very easy to constantly compare yourself, overthink everything, or feel like you always need to prove something. Over time, I’ve realized that growth becomes much easier when you stop trying to chase perfection all the time. I’m learning to trust myself more creatively and emotionally, and I think that mindset changed a lot for me during this project. I don’t think glass ceilings ever completely disappear because every stage of life comes with different challenges. But I do feel much more comfortable now being fully myself without feeling like I need to change who I am creatively. I’d rather slowly build my own world and let the right people connect with it naturally.&quot;

From “Champagne Flying” to “Slow Burner” — VARITDA unveils the next chapter of 'Champagne Cherry' with a world-class creative team.

One Music PH EXCLUSIVE: Thai Pop-R&B-Jazz Fusion Artist VARITDA

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One Music PH EXCLUSIVE: Thai Pop-R&B-Jazz Fusion Artist VARITDA

Cris O. Ramos Jr.

Published June 19, 2026 02:55 PM PHT

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VARITDA

Champagne Cherry

Champagne Flying

Slow Burner

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