Through the rain and sun: the poetic storytelling of Izzy Escobar
- blondevibrations
- Nov 4
- 4 min read
Izzy Escobar has released her EP, 'Sunny in London', at the perfect time to warm up this harsh turn to winter. Each track feels like a journey to a different place, built with distinct stylistic choices, yet tied together by the through-line of Izzy’s signature sound. Every note feels lived-in and warm, carrying the intimacy of jazz with the accessibility of pop. Seamlessly blending genres, 'Sunny in London' presents a cohesive narrative that draws the listener into her world — a space where heartbreak, empowerment, and reflection coexist in equal measure.
Opening the record with 'Vendetta' exposes us to Izzy's experience with deceit, lying, and the tale of revenge. She turns vulnerability into power, laying down a story of betrayal that lingers. We feel the shock of cheating, the haunting image of the other woman, the uneasy recognition in their similarities. You can almost see them conspiring in the background, yet Izzy remains the ghost in their narrative, ever-present, even as her role is written out in the finale. 'Vendetta' refuses suppression, instead it is a reclamation of space and her own story, refusing to be minimised by what has happened to her in the past. Still, with all that depth, it is irresistibly catchy, the kind of track that pulls you in with the momentum of its verses and addictive chorus. For a first-time listener, you leave with more questions than answers, caught in the vivid, sinister world she builds and when the next track begins, that pivot in sound only makes the journey more intriguing.
With the titular track, 'Sunny in London', Izzy's vocals are flawless, her vocals here are flawless: rich and textured in the quieter, more isolated moments, then effortlessly lifting into a lighter, airier register. The grand, orchestral entrance has a Bond-esque drama to it, before settling into something conversational and pop-leaning, her own cinematic world. Lines like 'raining in my heart, it's pouring ... heartbreak is so damn annoying, but it's sunny in London' hit like the city's unofficial mantra. It captures that unique Londoner experience, when life feels heavy but a change of scenery just a tube ride away can shift everything. The city can swallow you up for a while, and with your headphones on, the ache can suddenly soften. It is about returning to your purpose when things feel clouded over, serving as a reminder that even heartbreak passes, and the sun always finds its way through the skyline.
'Nevermine' is an undeniable EP highlight, tucked right at the heart of the project. It is an honest track that accepts the fact that not everything is meant to last, sometimes, no matter how much will there is to keep something alive, fate has other plans. 'Life's a train, get on and off / I only knew you for a couple stops / but I'll never forget our short ride' captures both the simplicity and enormity of acceptance, an understanding of the impermanence of people in our lives. There is maturity in her delivery, acknowledging loss without bitterness, with lines like 'you make it look easy to just walk away / I could never hate you'. Her voice, especially towards the end, grows raw and soulful, cracking just enough to remind of the humanity in it all. 'Nevermine' feels like an ode to the kind of relationship that shapes you even when it feels so brief compared to all that life you have waiting in front of you, the fleeting moments that build the person you become.
Golden hour perfection is achieved with 'Three More Glasses'. It is the sound of breaking free from someone who, in hindsight, possibly never deserved your ache and attention. The track glows with a night out with the girls energy, devious, cheeky and gloriously self-assured. Beneath this glossy surface though, you can feel the exhaustion that hides behind the laughter and sounds of cheers from the wine glasses. It is unapologetic and emotionally layered with pride, relief and burnout that tumbles together in this real time exploration of heartbreak and loss. There is cathartic chaos to 'Three More Glasses' when empowerment does not arise from being over it, instead from owning each messy moment that got you there. Sidenote: the lyrics 'I bet you're thinking you're top shelf / but that shit you couldn't reach / ironic how you're a doctor / when you're the one who needs all the fixing' is the perfect cherry on top.
'Jackie O' acts as a final curtain call, elegant, reflective, and perfectly placed. It is cinematic, carried by the soulful ease of her voice and the quiet grandeur that threads through every note. This is a song about rediscovery: the shift between who you’ve been, who you are, and who you are on the journey to becoming. 'Jackie O' feels like the moment the mirror clears, when you realise that you cannot step into a new version of yourself until you have allowed yourself to picture her. It breaks the cycle, closing the EP on a note of release and renewal. Where the earlier tracks wrestle with heartbreak, identity, and control, 'Jackie O' lifts the story into something higher, a quiet, powerful act of stepping forward and shedding your skin.
The current music scene is enjoying a surge of cross-genre experimentation, blending pop, jazz, and soul into something both accessible and easy to sink into. Izzy Escobar takes this approach and elevates it, with 'Sunny in London' being entirely personal yet effortlessly listenable. Through her musical lens, we get a snapshot of her life, a season-long story of love and reflection when things don't transpire how you imagined. Each track is a chapter, letting us witness heartbreak turning to empowerment and self-discovery in real time, before moving forward with clarity and purpose.
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