Los Angeles, USA-based alternative pop artist Jzzy (pronounced ‘jazzy’) first hit our radar as part of Jane’s Monthly Favourites roundup in July last year, and I recently ran the rule over her single HELMET. It’s a track that features on her debut four track EP Scribbles, which I just had to give a listen.

By Graeme Smith

Jzzy intends Scribbles to be an introduction to her music and the busy world that lives inside her head. The name refers to messiness and imperfection – the necessary chaos in the process of creating art, and that’s how Jazzy sees her brain working. Across this EP’s four tracks, we get different sides of her story, be it fun, feminine, angsty or nostalgic.

The EP starts with FOMO, a bright indie pop introduction with looping guitar and joyful percussion. It taps into the trend of anxious yet powerful pop rock such as Olivia Rodrigo, yet Jzzy is bringing some personal and honest to the genre too. It’s a strong start.

Reminisce Me slows things down with acoustic guitar and dreamy vocal harmonies. There’s a vulnerability to Jzzy’s vocal delivery that’s really compelling. I’ll Start With Your Name First is a great example of Jzzy’s chaos, with an eclectic and frenetic instrumental arrangement, some hard hitting bass, and whispered vocals. It’s lyrics are wonderfully macabre. It’s a highlight.

HELMET closes the EP in emphatic style. Its fun and catchy bass line is as infectious as I remember it to be and the rapped vocals are full of defiant energy.

If you’re looking to find your new favourite pop artist today, then you need look no further than Jzzy. The 21-year-old Indian-American is bringing something new the genre while not losing any of the accessibility that makes it so popular. The four tracks on Scribbles feels like just the appetiser for a career that will likely be a banquet. I honestly can’t wait to hear what she does next.

You can listen to the whole of Scribbles below.