PREMIERE: IZO - I Am IZO (EP) + 10 Questions
Picture Credit: Giorgia Galantino
UK riser IZO is set to impress with her unique take on neo-soul with her vibrant debut EP ‘I AM IZO’.
Across the 6-track EP IZO explores identity, purpose and growth, each song serving as a personal chapter that reflects both her complex inner world and experiences with love and self-discovery. The opening track ‘INTRO’ is a poignant genesis to the EP as she lays out intent to reclaim her true self, singing “I decided to be different to everybody, similar to nobody…then I went and fell off track, been trying to get my old skin back”.
As a true mutli-disciplinary artist—taking on creative direction, spatial design and styling—IZO has designed a visual world that is just as stunning as the audio. The accompanying videos and artwork paint a picture of who she truly is as an artist, ensuring this beguiling chapter in IZO’s career is rooted in authenticity.
Since her debut release 2024, IZO has been quickly recognised as one to watch. She has been included in multiple Spotify editorials such as New Music Friday, R&B UK, and was the cover of Fresh Finds UK & IE, later being included in Fresh Finds Class of 2024. Her Guyanese, Nigerian and English heritage has played a pivotal role in identifying IZO as a fusion artist, creating an arresting blend of soul, jazz and boom bap hip hop.
IZO sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:
1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?
Honestly, it’s always kind of been a way of life for me. I come from a music loving household, so I can’t imagine not loving it. Also, I started playing the cello and drums as a kid, so I understood, and was inspired by music theory and composition, from early on.
2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?
Doechii
Teyana Taylor
Erykah Badu
Sir
Masego
3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?
EP RELEASE : My debut EP, “I AM IZO”; a fusion of Neo-soul, jazz, and boom bap hip-hop, drops on Valentines Day. Each song on the EP represents a different stage and perspective on self-discovery in my personal experience within love and past relationships. I would say it’s a lyrically self-affirming, but also quite a vulnerably relatable project.
EP RELEASE PARTY : I’m really excited to showcase my EP as part of a HOUSE OF IZO immersive experience, at my EP Release Party on the 15th! I’m a multidisciplinary artist, with a background in Fashion and Interior & Spatial design, so it’s always been my priority to build a world around my music that encompasses all of my practices. I’ve curated this event to become a multi-sensory experience, which touches on an intersection between Music, Fashion, Space and Technology.
TOUR/ALBUM : As well as staying consistent with performances, and releasing new music regularly, I hope to do a headline tour for my EP and also release an album at some point this year. As long as I’m busy, I’m happy!
4. How would you describe your sound?
I haven’t labelled it yet, but I like referring to my sound as a ‘soundscape’, where I fuse a variety of soulful, afro, bluesy and jazzy genres together. I would say that for people to fully embrace my music, they should be able to experience it in more ways than just hearing it. Whether this is through relatability to the lyrics, or the physicality of the immersive experiences that I try to curate, per song, I would say the visual and physical elements are equally as important as the sound itself.
5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
I only started releasing music 5 months ago, so selling out my debut release party and learning that my songs are being played in 140 countries, to this day, is crazyyyy.
Picture Credit: Giorgia Galantino
6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
Stay mad, it works :)
7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?
Yess, me!
8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?
Literally the hardest question, I think I’ll forever be stuck in the past when it comes to my favourite albums... At the moment;
Don’t cut off your Dreadlocks, Linval Thompson
Brown Sugar, D’angelo
Mama’s Gun, Erykah Badu
Sadnecessary, Milky chance
The best of Sade, Sade
9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?
My toxic trait is believing I can do everything at the same time lol. I’m happily delusional in my proactivity… HOUSE OF IZO, my creative agency, is my second child to music - So most of my ‘free’ time goes to designing and curating experiences. But I also love to travel for inspo.
10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?
Drink
Good vibes
A swivel chair