Features : Indie Artist Essa Celebrates Debut Album, Azslant

Singer-songwriter and all-around creative Essa celebrates the release of her highly anticipated debut album, Azslant. A play on the word “slant,” the album is about the sloping, imperfect nature of life. Through the lens of a fantastical character, Essa invites her audience on a captivating voyage that is nothing short of circuitous, complicated, and at times, chaotic. With an eclectic mix of pop, techno, R&B, house, and poignant spoken word, Azslant delivers an honest portrayal of the journey to self-discovery.

“There’s no perfect way of getting there, it’s all a mess,” shares Essa.

In a candid conversation with Essa, the gifted indie artist divulges the inspiration behind her latest single, "Come with Me," a track that exudes an air of flirtation. Although the song is about two people falling in love, or at least lust, it also celebrates the power of self-love and the confidence to go after what you want. Despite the shifting cultural landscape, women still struggle to navigate gender roles and respectability politics. In fact, there are many communities around the globe that perceive women who display assertiveness or confidence as taboo or inappropriate. “Come with Me” encourages women to be bold, fearless, and in Essa’s words, shoot their shot! Bottom of Form

“I’m an introvert and I’m also very shy,” explains Essa, “So for me, this single was also about me overcoming my own fears around cultural norms.”

Released last year, “Fandom” is the prelude to “Come with Me” and one of Essa’s most popular singles, with over 50,000 streams on YouTube. The song's infectious melodies effortlessly blend with a finely crafted synthesized soundscape, offering listeners a delightful fusion of bubble gum pop with a touch of gravitas. However, "Fandom" is not another campy pop track; it possesses substance, weaving intricate lyrics and artistic depth into the narrative. The track is about acceptance, loving your true self, and being a fan of the many aspects of you.

“Many Colors” is one of the first songs Essa released off the Album. Written during the tumultuous early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, this heartfelt track is a love letter to the diverse and interconnected communities that span the globe. Witnessing the world rally together in solidarity served as the driving force behind this enchanting ballad. “Many Colors” encourages us to revel in the many shades of love.

Azslant features an eclectic mix of eight tracks, four of which include spoken word, full of narrative and musical theatrics. In addition to self-discovery, the album also explores the different forms of love – self-love, romantic, platonic, familial, and agape love. This fall, Azslant will be available across all music streaming platforms. In the interim, be sure to check out the music videos for "Many Colors" and "Fandom," both available now!  

“There are a lot of metaphors throughout the album, especially on the spoken-word tracks,” Essa continues, “I’m curious to see how people interpret the music!”

Raised in the Southern United States, Essa's musical journey began at an early age, with Sunday mornings filled with the sound of her mom singing in the kitchen. She grew up surrounded by soul music. However, by the age of seven, she was fully immersed in a diverse range of musical genres, igniting a deep-seated passion for creative expression through art. Inspired by Whitney Houston, Rihanna, Beyoncé, and various well-known artists, Essa taught herself to sing. By the time Essa entered high school, she was committed to her musical pursuits; she joined the school choir and band, showcasing her talents on the clarinet. In college, she continued to participate in activities that required singing, including dance and theater. However, her interest in writing and storytelling led her to pursue a degree in journalism and communications. It was not until after college that Essa returned to her first true love – music.

“I couldn’t imagine going through life any further without it,” shares Essa.

Stay connected with Essa across all platforms for new music, videos, appearances, and updates.