Artist Profile - Izzy Bizu

The subject of my third article for PHF is yet another up-and-coming European musician, one which I really hope doesn’t retire days after my article is released (I didn’t know my writing was that bad but I can push through that pain another time). This article is merely an artist profile, something small I wanted to do help spread the word without going into overdrive and writing two thousand words.

London-born singer-songwriter Izzy Bizu’s debut album A Moment of Madness was released in early September and quickly flew to the highest reaches of my top albums of 2016 list with its infectious lyrics and breezy production. Bizu’s music is an infused blend of soul, R&B, and pop inspired by the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Amy Winehouse, with tracks like 'White Tiger', 'Mad Behaviour', and 'I Know' bringing the album together seamlessly. If you’ve ever heard of Bizu before it’s probably because of the aforementioned hit 'White Tiger', a track taken from her equally as successful debut EP Coolbeanz, released in September 2013. The reception to the EP set Bizu firmly on a path to a debut album, ultimately released on Epic Records and promoted by performances such as a well received return to the iconic Glastonbury Festival, a set I sadly missed due to my desire for a warm shower and relief from the never ending rain. Bizu previously performed in 2014 on the BBC Introducing stage, a program which this year featured a secret set by fellow up and comer Låpsley.

The BBC and Bizu recently collaborated once more for a cover of Edith Piaf’s iconic 'La Foule' for the BBC’s coverage of L’Euro 2016, the biggest footballing competition in the Europe. Regarding collaborations, Bizu also borrows a track for A Moment of Madness from fellow British musicians HONNE called 'Someone That Loves You', that Bizu featured on back in May. The visuals for 'Someone That Loves You' see Bizu and HONNE lead vocalist Andy Clutterbuck singing in a karaoke-esque manner in urban Tokyo amongst hazy LED lights.

Bizu is set to keep on rising up through the ranks and carries a portfolio bursting at the seams with acclaim, something we can expect to keep growing as Bizu continues to master her craft. Whether or not Bizu decides to release another single to add to the already impressive six is anybody’s game. Tracks such as 'Circles', 'Trees & Fire', and 'I Know' all deserve a bit of the spotlight and are yet more highlights from an album that doesn’t ever seem to slow down.

A Moment of Madness is out on iTunes now.