Toronto Fringe Review: Broken Hearted Girl

With an aversion to Scorpios and impeccable outfits, Selena Vyle’s Digital Fringe show Broken Hearted Girl is a triumph. A visual album chronicling three relationships in Vyle’s life, there are no high points in this album—the entire album is the high point.

The music, composed by Kitty Creature, is heavily influenced by 80s pop and new wave. It’s dreamy, catchy, and—with Vyle’s lyrics and incredible voice—create a stunning story that’s emotional, witty, and… well, heartbreaking. The string interludes composed by Maya Killtron let what are sometimes the lulls in visual albums pop with character.

The cinematography, by Gei Ping Hohl, is so well choreographed and only ever elevates the music. Most music videos often take place over one take in outdoor locations, and the way she and Vyle use each space is so effortlessly effective. With some of the darker, more intimate song; Vyle opts to sing in front of projections, created by Spencer Wilson, which served as breathtakingly beautiful moments.

The star of the show is, obviously, Selena Vyle—who’s super stardom fits her like a glove. She is such a natural performer, and this show only serves as a testament to her talents (yes, plural). Having this kind of vision is one thing, but the ability to execute it so expertly is something that should be celebrated. It’s so inspiring to see an artist do what they do best, and in this show, Selena Vyle’s doing exactly that.

There really isn’t much more to say, this is a must-see.

Broken Hearted Girl is part of the Digital Toronto Fringe Festival July 21 - 31, 2021.
Find tickets and show info here.