Violet Grohl has never been one to shy away from her musical lineage, but with her latest release, she is stepping firmly into a world entirely her own—one colored by shadows, surrealism, and grief.
On Tuesday, the 19-year-old musician released “What’s Heaven Without You,” a haunting, atmospheric track dedicated to the late filmmaker David Lynch. The release was timed to coincide with what would have been the visionary director’s 80th birthday.
The song, which dropped exclusively on Bandcamp, arrives just a month after Grohl’s official solo debut with the double-single “THUM” and “Applefish.” But where those tracks flirted with 90s alt-rock grit, “What’s Heaven Without You” is a pivot into the ethereal.
Co-written with Persia Numan (daughter of synth-pop pioneer Gary Numan) and producer Justin Raisen, the track feels less like a rock anthem and more like a sonic seance. Built around a marching snare and swelling synths that evoke the dreamlike dread of Lynch’s Twin Peaks, the song sees Grohl’s vocals drifting through the mix, fragile yet commanding.
In a statement accompanying the release, Grohl revealed that the track was born out of a specific, turbulent moment in Los Angeles.
“This song was written in David Lynch’s memory… a few days after the chaos and devastation of the LA fires,” she wrote. “We came together in our sadness and grief and let it pour out into this song. We hope you can find some resonance in it. The impact he left on art is truly magical; we miss you, David.”
The collaboration with Raisen—known for his work with genre-bending artists like Yves Tumor and Charli XCX—suggests Grohl is interested in carving out a sound that defies the easy “rock royalty” categorization. The inclusion of Persia Numan adds another layer of texture, blending the industrial sensibilities of her own heritage with Grohl’s raw, emotive delivery.
Listeners have already noted the cinematic quality of the production, which pays homage to Lynch’s long-time musical collaborator Angelo Badalamenti. The guitar tones, thick with reverb, mirror the roadhouse blues that often punctuated Lynch’s filmography.
For Grohl, this release marks a confident stride away from the “featured artist” tag. While she has spent the last few years harmonizing with her father, Dave Grohl, on Foo Fighters records and joining Nirvana reunions on stage, 2026 is shaping up to be the year she defines her own artistic identity.
“What’s Heaven Without You” is available now for streaming and purchase on Bandcamp.
