Violet Grohl Releases Debut Album Be Sweet To Me
Violet Grohl has released her highly anticipated debut album Be Sweet To Me, out now via Auroura Records / Republic Records / Island Records UK.
The record arrives with a new video for “Bug In The Cake,” directed by Nikki Milan Houston, and finds Grohl stepping confidently into a world of scuzzed-up guitars, melodic unease and emotionally charged alt-rock storytelling.
A Debut Built On Fuzz, Feeling, and Filmic Detail
Recorded at producer Justin Raisen’s Los Angeles home studio, Be Sweet To Me was made with a cast of musicians brought together in the spirit of the classic Wrecking Crew session players of the ’60s and ’70s.
Sonically, the album digs deep into the alternative lineage of the late ’80s and early ’90s, pulling from the warped charge of Pixies, Soundgarden, Cocteau Twins, The Breeders, PJ Harvey, The Muffs, Björk, Alice in Chains, L7 and Juliana Hatfield.
“I’ve listened to that stuff since I was a kid,” Grohl says of the sounds that run through album singles including “THUM,” “595” and “Cool Buzz.”
Songs Written In The Room
Rather than arriving with a fully mapped-out record, Grohl built Be Sweet To Me in the moment.
“Everything was written in the studio,” she explains. “I would come in with an inspiration playlist, we would hang and listen for a little while, and then start writing.”
Raisen describes those playlists as sprawling and unpredictable, ranging from trip hop and new wave to Scandinavian black metal, ’70s acoustic folk and vocal jazz. “Violet is so well-versed in all styles of music; every playlist was different,” he says. “She showed me a number of things that I wasn’t familiar with; her encyclopedic knowledge of music is crazy.”
Watch The Video For Bug In The Cake
The newly released “Bug In The Cake” video adds another layer to the album’s strange, cinematic atmosphere. The song itself draws from the paranormal feeling surrounding Grohl’s move into the former home of her late paternal grandmother, described as a beloved “guiding force” in her life.
“Turn the TV off so it turns back on / Come on, grandma, play me your favourite song,” Grohl roars, turning grief, memory and supernatural static into one of the album’s most vivid moments.
Critical Praise For Be Sweet To Me
Early reactions have positioned Be Sweet To Me as a sharp and striking debut. The London Standard hailed the return of riot grrrl energy to teen-idol territory, while Kerrang! described the record as “an album that wears a dainty dress and pairs it with combat boots.”
Elsewhere, Far Out praised Grohl’s “scuzz, fuzz, and suave songwriting,” MOJO highlighted her embrace of alt-rock heritage, and CLASH noted the emotional breadth in her command of sound.
UK Live Dates 2026
Violet Grohl’s first-ever headline tour is underway, following a sold-out Los Angeles show. UK and European dates follow in August, including headline stops and major festival appearances.
25 August, Manchester, Deaf Institute*
26 August, Glasgow, King Tut’s*
28 August, Leeds Festival
29 August, Electric Picnic Festival
30 August, Reading Festival
1 September, London, Camden Assembly*
*Headline Tour Dates
Album Formats
In addition to the CD, Be Sweet To Me is available to order in black, blueberry jam (exclusive to indie retailers) and ivory vinyl (exclusive to the official artist store), available HERE.
BE SWEET TO ME ON AUROURA RECORDS / REPUBLIC RECORDS / ISLAND RECORDS UK
