Essosa - Crush! (EP)

Photo Credit: Saskia Kovandzich

London based singer songwriter Essosa enters a confident new phase with her six track EP Crush!, released May 1 via United Masters. Bright and glossy on the surface, the project carries a deeper emotional undercurrent, exploring the dual meaning of its title through themes of infatuation, loss and self assurance.

The opening track “Crush!” sets the tone with a soft, yearning energy that balances sweetness with tension. “Missing U” follows as the emotional core, understated and reflective, capturing the lingering feeling of absence. On “Signs”, Essosa leans into clarity and self trust, delivering one of the EP’s most grounded moments.

“Favourite Liar” introduces a sharper edge, blending vulnerability with quiet confrontation, while “Touch bby” shifts into a lighter, flirtatious space that feels effortless and carefree. Closing track “He’s Not All That” lands with confidence, wrapping the project in a sense of growth and emotional closure.

Sonically, Crush! moves between dancefloor warmth and intimate R&B, nodding to icons like Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Mary J. Blige and Madonna, while aligning with contemporary voices like PinkPantheress. Production from jkarri and WAVSDNTDIE keeps everything cohesive and fluid.

Essosa’s momentum continues to build, from the viral success of “Waste My Time” to co-signs from Kaytranada, Missy Elliott and Kali Uchis, alongside recognition from Don Toliver. With a sound shaped by her Nigerian roots and time spent across Canada, Essex and London, she delivers a project that feels both personal and widely resonant.

Crush! is a concise, self assured release that captures fleeting emotions with clarity, marking Essosa’s transition into a more defined and compelling artistic voice.

Catch Essosa headlining at The Jazz Cafe on September 14th - cop tickets here.