Lizzie Esau – releases her brand new single today, the darkly euphoric ‘Bugs’

Glastonbury Festival’s 2024 BBC Introducing headliner, 25 year old Lizzie Esau released her brand new single today. The darkly, euphoric, ‘Bugs’, is the artist’s most accomplished release yet, showcasing an aptitude for anthemic songwriting with lyrical depth.  

The release follows a huge year for the artist, whose 2024 single ‘She’s a Scorpio’ received multiple plays by Greg James on his BBC Radio 1 show. Last year also saw Esau included in BBC Radio 1’s Future Artists Next Wave, added to Radio X’s Xposure Playlist, and selected by The Ivors Academy as part of their U25 Chair. Last summer, Esau’s heavy rock cover of Muddy Waters’ ‘I’m a Man’ was featured in the hit Amazon Prime series, My Lady Jane.

Speaking about the new release, Esau hinted there may be a debut album in the works. She said, “I feel inspired and ready for a new era of music… I can’t wait for the next year of building up to my biggest, most exciting body of work yet.”

Lyrically, ‘Bugs’ delves into the timeless link between creativity and self-destruction. The track emerged from a frustrating bout of writer’s block for Esau, who began to worry that a happier state of mind might stifle her creative output. On ‘Bugs’, she examines the tension between authentic songwriting and inner turmoil: “My downfall is my muse / If you asked me I would choose / To stay just as I am / I’m no fun unless I’ve drank.”

April marked a triumphant return for the artist to her home county of Tyne and Wear, with a sold-out headline show at The Glasshouse for BBC Introducing. Last year saw Esau embark on a UK tour with Oxford four-piece South Arcade and Anglo-Irish art pop outfit, Soft Launch, before announcing a number of her own headline shows for this Spring.

Photo credit – Storm Hudspith Walker