Music has a powerful way of helping us process life’s most complicated emotions. Sometimes the best songs are the ones that allow us to sit with heartbreak, dance through sadness, and ultimately find our way back to ourselves. When I first came across Vivienne Blue and her debut EP, Break My Heart, Not My Stride, I was immediately drawn into that emotional space. Her music balances vulnerability and empowerment in a way that feels both intimate and liberating. Inspired by the dreamy sky imagery in her “JC Superstar” music video and the emotional journey woven throughout the EP, I decided to create a light, rich chocolate cloud cake, topped with a bright blue sky and whipped-cream clouds, in her honor. Check out the recipe later in this feature, but first, let’s take a closer look at the artist behind the music.

Vivienne Blue has been immersed in music for most of her life. She began singing as a child, and from an early age, music became a way for her to understand and express her emotions. Growing up in what she describes as a somewhat chaotic environment, music served as a safe space—an outlet where she could connect with her feelings and process the world around her.

As a teenager, Vivienne pursued classical vocal training and spent several years focusing on classical music. That foundation helped shape her voice and musical discipline. Over time, however, her tastes began to expand into rock and experimental sounds, opening the door to a broader creative identity. Throughout the years, she has performed with various bands and worn many hats in the music industry. After moving to Nashville in 2018, Vivienne continued to explore new artistic paths and develop her sound. Now, with Break My Heart, Not My Stride, she is stepping forward with her first solo release under the name Vivienne Blue.

Vivienne’s musical influences reflect a wide range of styles and eras. Growing up, she was captivated by pop icons like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. Their bold performances and unapologetic confidence left a lasting impression on her. At the same time, she draws inspiration from more introspective and lyrical artists like Joni Mitchell, whose songwriting helped shape Vivienne’s emotional approach to music. Her number-one all-time favorite artist, however, is Lana Del Rey—an influence she credits with inspiring the cinematic and atmospheric elements of her sound. The result is a unique blend of pop sensibility and experimental textures. Vivienne describes this project as a kind of marriage between those two worlds: catchy, expressive pop music layered with deeper emotional storytelling.

At its core, Break My Heart, Not My Stride is an album born out of heartbreak. Vivienne found herself navigating the emotional aftermath of a relationship and breakup, sitting with difficult feelings and searching for a way to process them. Like many artists before her, she turned to songwriting as therapy. Rather than allowing sadness to weigh the project down, Vivienne approached the music with an interesting contrast. The lyrics often explore heavy themes—missing someone, feeling the push-and-pull of complicated relationships, and working through emotional loss—but the instrumentation remains energetic and playful. It’s the idea of throwing a party for sadness. In many ways, the EP feels like a soundtrack for dancing through heartbreak. The music invites listeners to move, release, and process their emotions in a way that feels empowering rather than defeating. Pop music has always had that power—to transform difficult moments into something cathartic. Listening to the EP reminded me of the cultural moment surrounding Beyoncé’s Lemonade album, when people gathered for “lemonade parties” to collectively process heartbreak through music and celebration. Vivienne’s project captures a similar energy: acknowledging the pain while still choosing joy, movement, and self-empowerment.

Ultimately, Vivienne hopes her music can make listeners feel seen and understood. That feeling of connection is something she has experienced many times as a fan herself—hearing a song that feels as if it was written just for you in the exact moment you needed it. If someone is going through a breakup, she hopes they might put on one of her songs and find a little strength in it. Maybe they hear lyrics about being treated poorly by someone and suddenly realize they deserve better. Maybe they dance around their living room, shake off the sadness, and reclaim their sense of self. For Vivienne, that sense of empowerment is what music is all about. The EP opens with one of her singles, “A Little Bit Off,” a track that carries a strong message of self-respect and female empowerment. As the album progresses, the emotional journey deepens. There are moments of reflection and vulnerability, including “Always on My Mind”, a ballad where she admits she still misses the relationship she lost. But by the end of the record, the narrative shifts toward self-realization with “JC Superstar”. The EP’s emotional journey ends as Vivienne realizes that only she can make herself whole. Healing, truth, and self-love have to come from within.

As Vivienne continues her career, her biggest goal is simple: to keep creating honestly and stay present in the process. Earlier in her life, she might have said the dream was selling out arenas—and while she certainly wouldn’t complain if that happened, her priorities have shifted. After spending years feeling unhappy and chasing the wrong things, Vivienne now focuses on something much more important: happiness, presence, and the celebration of the small joys of everyday life. If she can continue making music from that place of authenticity, I believe the rest will follow. 

At the end of the day, music and food have a lot in common—they both help us process our emotions and connect with each other. Vivienne Blue’s Break My Heart, Not My Stride reminds us that heartbreak doesn’t have to keep us grounded forever. Sometimes it just means giving yourself the space to feel it, dance through it, and eventually look up toward brighter skies ahead—just as the open blue sky imagery in her “JC Superstar” video does. So be sure to check out Vivienne Blue and her debut EP, Break My Heart, Not My Stride, available now on all streaming platforms. And if you’re ready to bring a little sky-blue sweetness to your kitchen, keep reading for the chocolate cloud cake inspired by the dreamy aesthetic of this record.

Vivienne Blue Linktree

When it comes to food, Vivienne keeps things pretty simple—no dietary restrictions, no food aversions. She loves it all. But when we started talking about nostalgic comfort foods, one answer immediately made her laugh: Kentucky Fried Chicken. Growing up, she ate at KFC a lot, and it’s something she still associates with cozy childhood memories of going out to eat with her mom. It’s funny how certain foods stick with us like that and become instant comfort.

Vivienne also has a serious sweet tooth, which—let’s be honest—pairs pretty well with heartbreak. When she thinks about the ultimate dessert, it’s all about soft serve chocolate ice cream, especially the classic chocolate-and-vanilla twist topped with rainbow sprinkles. Her love of soft-serve ice cream reminded me of those little ice cream trucks you see in New York City serving up that perfect swirl. There’s just something about it that feels nostalgic and fun. Another favorite sweet treat for her is Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food—always a solid choice when you’re in the mood for something indulgent. I personally feel like Ben & Jerry’s Strawberry Cheesecake is elite with the perfect graham cracker swirl, so I can definitely relate to the love of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. 

Beyond sweets, Vivienne definitely considers herself a foodie. One of her favorite hobbies with her partner is trying new restaurants around Nashville. She’s the kind of person who’s more than happy to spend a little money on a really great meal. Some of her Nashville favorites include Locust, Bastion, and Butcher & Bee—three incredible spots that showcase elevated, creative takes on American cuisine.

When it comes to everyday eating, though, she likes to keep things balanced. During the week, she gravitates toward healthier options like salmon bowls, grilled chicken, and lighter meals that help her feel good and stay energized. But on the weekends? That’s when the fun food comes out. Going out to eat, enjoying a great meal, maybe a little junk food—it’s all part of the balance. And when it comes to snacks, she admits she has a weakness for Flaming Hot Barbecue Ruffles. Those are definitely her kryptonite. But she also loves something simple like apples with peanut butter—an easy classic that never gets old.

Vivienne also has a pretty adventurous palate. In fact, when we spoke, she was about to head out on vacation to Mexico and was excited about trying new foods there—even joking that she plans to eat bugs while she was there. That curiosity and openness definitely mirror the way she approaches music, too.

Another nostalgic favorite of hers is a chocolate cake her mom used to make when she was growing up. The recipe actually came from her grandmother and features an espresso chocolate cake with rich fudge icing. The espresso deepens the chocolate flavor and gives the cake this beautiful dark color. It’s one of those family recipes that sticks with you. Listening to Vivienne’s EP and watching some of the visuals surrounding the project, one thing that really stood out to me was the blue-sky-and-clouds backdrop in her “JC Superstar” video. There’s something about that imagery that feels dreamy and expansive, like a moment of emotional release after heartbreak. That visual stuck with me. So I decided to create a dessert inspired by that feeling—something light and airy like clouds, but still rich and chocolate-forward to match Vivienne’s love for sweets.

The result is a chocolate cloud cake topped with a bright blue white chocolate ganache “sky” and soft whipped cream clouds. For this recipe, I used a 9-inch cake pan for a flatter “sky” effect, but you can use an 8-inch cake pan to give the cake a more fluffy, cloud-like height.  It’s playful, dreamy, and a little indulgent—perfect for pairing with an album that’s all about dancing through heartbreak and finding your way forward. Think of it as a sweet little moment in the clouds. So put on Vivienne Blue’s EP, grab a fork, and enjoy a slice of this chocolate cloud cake. Whether you’re celebrating love, going through a breakup, or just craving something sweet, consider it a small reminder that even after the stormiest moments, there’s always blue sky waiting above the clouds. Check out the recipe below—it’s fun, easy to make, and perfect for sharing with friends while you listen to Vivienne Blue’s Break My Heart, Not My Stride.

Chocolate Cloud Cake with Blue Ganache & Whipped-Cream Clouds

Ingredients for Cloud Cake:

• • 10.5 oz (300 g) dark chocolate
  • 4 tablespoon + 1½ teaspoon unsalted butter
  • 4 large eggs, separated
  • ⅜ cup sugar (6 tablespoons)
  • 1½ tablespoons cornstarch

Ingredients for Blue Ganache:

• 6 oz white chocolate
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• Blue gel food coloring

Ingredients for Whipped-Cream Clouds:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon Madagascar vanilla

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 320°F (160°C). Line a 9-inch cake pan with parchment paper and wrap the outside of the pan with foil for the water bath.
2. Combine the butter and chocolate in a double boiler and stir until smooth.
3. Whisk the egg yolks into the chocolate mixture until smooth. Whisk in the cornstarch.
4. Using a standing mixer, beat the egg whites until foamy. Gradually add sugar and beat until soft, glossy peaks form.
5. Gently fold one-third of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture. Then, carefully fold in the remaining egg whites until the mixture is smooth and airy. Avoid overmixing.
6. Pour batter into the pan.
7. Place the cake pan into a larger baking dish and pour hot water until it reaches halfway up the sides.
8. Bake 35–40 minutes.
9. Turn off the oven and leave the cake inside with the door ajar for 15 minutes.
10. For the blue ganache, heat the cream until it steams. Pour over the chopped white chocolate. Stir until smooth.
11. Add blue gel coloring until you achieve a soft sky blue. Let it cool slightly, then pour over the cake and spread gently.
12. For the whipped-cream clouds, whip the ingredients until soft peaks form.
13. Use a spoon to make little fluffy cloud clusters.
14. Serve and enjoy!