Rising London-born, British-Canadian artist Essosa has officially unveiled her latest creative chapter with the release of ‘Crush!’, a six-track EP that further cements her status as a formidable voice in contemporary R&B. Arriving today via UnitedMasters, the project is a testament to the artist’s rapid ascent, blending the nostalgic, soulful textures of late 90s and early 2000s R&B with a sharp, modern dance-pop edge. Following the viral success of her breakout single ‘Waste My Time’ and a string of high-profile industry co-signs, ‘Crush!’ arrives not just as a collection of songs, but as a thematic exploration of the complexity of infatuation, navigating the thin line between connection and chaos.
Key Highlights
- New EP Arrival: ‘Crush!’ is a six-track project officially released today, showcasing a tighter, more cohesive sound profile than previous works.
- Elite Production: The EP features intricate production work from jkarri, known for his work with PinkPantheress and Nia Archives, and the duo WAVSDNTDIE.
- Thematic Duality: Essosa explores the two definitions of ‘crush’—the romantic infatuation and the literal sense of ruin and destruction—creating a narrative-rich listening experience.
- Artistic Evolution: The project moves away from simple viral-hit chasing, instead favoring a sophisticated blend of club-ready energy and introspective, mid-tempo R&B.
- Industry Momentum: The release follows a massive year for the artist, including touring with Rochelle Jordan and receiving support from icons like Missy Elliott and Kaytranada.
The Evolution of Essosa: From Viral Hitmaker to R&B Architect
The journey to ‘Crush!’ began long before the studio sessions for this specific project. Essosa, born Joy Aiseosa Bakare, has spent the last few years curating a sound that feels both intimately familiar and strikingly new. With her breakthrough 2023 hit ‘Waste My Time’ accumulating over 30 million streams and finding a home in tens of thousands of TikTok creations, the pressure to produce a follow-up that matched—or exceeded—that cultural footprint was immense. However, with ‘Crush!’, Essosa has made the deliberate choice to lean into artistic depth rather than purely commercial viability.
Sonic Landscapes and Production Mastery
At the core of the EP’s success is a stellar production team. By enlisting jkarri and WAVSDNTDIE, Essosa has secured a soundscape that feels tailor-made for the current zeitgeist. jkarri’s fingerprints, previously seen in the genre-bending works of PinkPantheress, are evident here; he brings a percussive, syncopated rhythm that keeps the tracks energetic even when the lyrical content turns melancholic. Meanwhile, WAVSDNTDIE provides the atmospheric, polished sheen that allows Essosa’s vocals to cut through the mix with clarity and power.
This sonic marriage is best heard on tracks like ‘missing u’ and the focus track ‘crush’, where the production mirrors the emotional instability of the lyrics. The basslines are heavy and resonant, nodding to the G-Funk and soulful R&B era of the 90s, while the synthesisers are crisp and digitized, firmly placing the project in 2026. This isn’t just retro-pastiche; it is a reconstruction of the R&B blueprint designed for a generation that demands authenticity.
The Thematic Duality of ‘Crush’
During recent interviews, Essosa spoke at length about the title of the EP. While ‘crush’ is often used in pop culture to describe the lighthearted, butterfly-inducing feeling of a new attraction, the artist chose the word specifically for its violent undertone. As she noted, ‘crush’ also means to flatten, destroy, or ruin. This double meaning serves as the structural spine of the EP.
In the tracklist, listeners can trace this arc. There are songs that capture the initial high of an infatuation—the ‘flirtation and frivolity’ of a night out, as she described it. Conversely, there are tracks that dive into the inevitable ‘heaviness’ of a volatile relationship. By presenting these conflicting emotions side-by-side, Essosa creates a narrative that feels profoundly human. It acknowledges that the same relationships that excite us are often the ones that have the potential to break us, a truth she delivers with a blend of vocal vulnerability and assertive lyricism.
Secondary Angles: A Modern Blueprint for Independent Success
The Strategy of the ‘Bridge’ Artist
Essosa represents a new breed of independent artists who are effectively bridging the gap between niche internet virality and sustainable, long-term industry stardom. By utilizing platforms like TikTok to build a massive, organic fanbase for ‘Waste My Time’, she bypassed the traditional gatekeepers for long enough to enter the industry on her own terms. The release of ‘Crush!’ serves as the critical ‘bridging’ moment—a project that demands to be heard in full rather than consumed in 15-second fragments. This indicates a shift in how Gen Z artists view EP releases: they are no longer just calling cards, but statements of intent that build a loyal community.
The Cultural Resonance of Nostalgia
There is a wider economic and cultural trend at play here: the monetization of Y2K and 90s nostalgia. Essosa is not the only artist tapping into this, but she is doing it with a level of precision that sets her apart. Her music evokes the feeling of a specific era without feeling like a costume. By incorporating gospel influences from her upbringing alongside the ‘hyphy’ sounds of the Bay Area and the UK garage rhythms of her East London roots, she creates a sonic tapestry that appeals to a diverse, global audience. Her music serves as a reminder that nostalgia, when fused with high-tech production, becomes a powerful, commercially viable commodity.
The Role of Mentorship and Collaboration
It is impossible to ignore the role of mentorship in Essosa’s trajectory. The co-signs from Missy Elliott, Kaytranada, and Victoria Monet are not just ‘cool points’; they represent a transfer of knowledge and industry credibility. Working with these titans of industry has clearly sharpened her songwriting and performance skills. Her tour with Rochelle Jordan and her feature on Don Toliver’s ‘Octane’ album provided the ‘seal of approval’ needed to move from a TikTok act to a credible performer. ‘Crush!’ is the culmination of this mentorship, reflecting a maturity in her songwriting that can only come from observing and learning from masters of the craft.
Looking Ahead: The Live Experience
With the EP now available globally, the focus shifts to the stage. Essosa has already begun to cultivate a reputation as a captivating live performer, having honed her skills supporting Rochelle Jordan on her global tour. Her upcoming performance at London’s Jazz Cafe on May 12th is expected to be a pivotal moment for her live career.
If the EP is any indication of what her live show will offer, fans can expect a high-energy experience that balances the intimacy of her storytelling with the high-octane production of her tracks. For an artist who has been vocal about overcoming performance anxiety, her current trajectory suggests a newfound confidence. She is no longer just singing to a camera lens or a playlist—she is performing to crowds who are there explicitly for her, marking the next phase in the transformation of Essosa from an internet sensation into a global musical fixture.
FAQ: People Also Ask
1. What is the central theme of Essosa’s new EP ‘Crush!’?
The EP explores the dual meaning of the word ‘crush.’ On one hand, it represents the lighthearted, exciting feeling of romantic infatuation. On the other, it references the literal, more destructive meaning of the word, exploring how relationships can lead to heartbreak and personal ‘ruin.’
2. Who produced the ‘Crush!’ EP?
The EP features production from jkarri, known for his work with PinkPantheress and Nia Archives, and the production duo WAVSDNTDIE, who have collaborated with Wretch 32 and Tiana Major 9.
3. Is ‘Crush!’ Essosa’s first project?
No, ‘Crush!’ is her latest EP release, following her 2021 debut ‘Dreamworld’ and her 2024 EP ‘Essie’s World.’ She has been building momentum steadily since her 2018 debut single, ‘The Retreat.’
4. What genre does Essosa’s music fall into?
Essosa’s sound is primarily R&B with significant influences from late 90s and early 2000s soul, mixed with contemporary dance-pop, UK garage, and gospel music, creating a style that is often described as ‘nostalgic yet forward-thinking.’
