Vinlisa’s 'Until Then' Finds Power in the Pause Between Heartbreak and Healing

There is the public version of heartbreak, the messy breakups, the dramatic unfollows, and the curated “look at me thriving” photos. Then there is the quiet, unglamorous middle part, where you are not broken anymore but not healed either. That is where Vinlisa plants herself on her latest EP, 'until then.'

Across five tracks, “on the way,” “convo,” “out the blue,” “focused,” and the title track “until then,” she transforms that in-between space into a soundtrack. It is vulnerable without being fragile, intimate without oversharing, and most importantly, honest enough to feel lived-in.

The lead single, “on the way,” sets the tone. Built on a slow-burning groove layered with airy harmonies, it feels hypnotic in its simplicity. Lyrically, it speaks to the promises people make and the silence that follows when those promises are broken. Vinlisa’s delivery is equal parts ache and acceptance. She does not beg anyone to stay; she acknowledges the absence and moves forward.

Produced entirely by Jack Perry with vocal production from Ianne Lloyd, the project is sonically cohesive from start to finish. The mixing work by Joni Myllari and Tyler Tisi gives each track its own space to breathe without breaking the dreamy flow of the EP. It is the kind of R&B production that does not demand attention with flashy tricks but instead pulls you in and keeps you there.

What makes 'until then' stand out is that it is not just a breakup record. Vinlisa uses the songs to frame heartbreak as part of the process of becoming. Mistakes are lessons, not failures, and loss becomes a step toward growth. The reflection is gentle, but the message is empowering.

Until Then is made for listeners caught in the middle, those moments you cannot quite capture with an Instagram caption. It is a soulful reminder that patience is not passive and that healing carries its quiet strength.

You’ve called 'until then' the “waiting room between heartbreak and healing.” What does that space look and feel like for you?

For me, that space was deeply introspective. I had to choose between moving forward or staying in a place filled with hurt, regret, and yearning. Taking that first step toward healing isn’t easy, and it looks different for everyone. That’s why I think of it as a “waiting room.” It’s a place where you sit with your emotions, process what’s happened, and figure out when you’re ready to walk out the door into something new.

“On the way” is about emotional unavailability. Do you think it’s harder to walk away from someone inconsistent than someone who’s outright hurtful?

It’s harder to walk away from someone inconsistent because there’s always that “what if.” They make you hope that they might become the person you want them to be. If someone is outright hurtful, it’s easier to draw the line and leave because their intentions are clear.

But with inconsistency, you get pulled in by the highs, which are those moments when they do something endearing. Next thing you know, you’re left wondering where they’ve gone the next day because they haven’t texted you back. That unpredictability keeps you on your toes, and unfortunately, it makes breaking away so much harder.

This EP is sonically very cohesive. How did your work with Jack Perry and Ianne Lloyd shape the sound compared to your last project?

Thank you! Funny enough, I didn’t set out to make an EP at all. It started on the way, which I originally intended to release as a single. But as Jack curated new beats, I found myself connecting the songs and building a storyline from heartbreak to healing. Before I knew it, that process became the EP until then.

Since my last project, Jack and I have honed our workflow, so creating this EP felt effortless. He was always open to experimenting and exploring sounds we hadn’t touched before, which made me feel completely comfortable being vulnerable on each track. I knew I could tweak anything to bring my vision to life, especially with Jack being able to provide a great foundation for me to shine. 

With Ianne, he helped polish my sound without losing the rawness of the music. He guided me in adding harmonic blends to enrich the vocals and fine-tuned moments where I needed extra support. He was the one who provided the icing on the cake, turning the songs into a fuller, more immersive experience.

You blend vulnerability and empowerment so naturally. Has that balance always been part of your songwriting, or is it something you had to grow into?

I had to grow into it. When I first started, songwriting felt more like an assignment. I’d usually stick to a structure, come up with a catchy melody, add some relatable lyrics, and that was it. As I got older and went through more life experiences, it started feeling more like storytelling. I had to get comfortable in my skin and allow myself to write from a vulnerable place. Once I did, the empowerment just followed. I think there’s something really powerful about artists tapping into that shared human experience because life isn’t perfect, and neither are we. 

If a listener only has time for one track from "until then," which song would you tell them to start with and why?

Oh, focused. It’s for sure my favorite track I’ve made to date. I like to call it my “elegant crash out” because it’s me telling someone, “Look, you need to get it together and keep your eyes on me and me only.” It’s bold, it’s direct, and it sums up the vibe of the EP. The Until Then EP is about wanting that undivided attention from someone you deem special, and I'm focused on serving that message with a bit of extra flair.