Essosa Combines Y2K and Situationships on New EP, ‘Crush!’ (Review)

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‘Crush!‘ is the third EP from rising star in the worlds of pop and R’n’B, Essosa. Her 2023 single, ‘Waste My Time‘, which has over 53 million streams on Spotify to date, blew this artist up. As a result, they have garnered a bigger audience and worked with the likes of GEE LEE and Don Toliver. Now, they are here with a six-track release that deals with a situationship and is inspired by sounds from the Y2K era.

The project kicks off with the title track, a dreamy throwback to that classic R’n’B sound of the late 90s/early noughties. Equally, you get that same feeling from Essosa’s delivery as they detail the joy she gets from this boy’s touch. The ‘ah ahhh’ ad-libs are used to emphasise what is being described, while both beat and voice are a match made in heaven. The chorus is just as smooth, as it appears this situationship may be transforming into something more.

Next up is ‘Missing U‘, which has a bit more of a house flavour to it, taking up the energy a notch. I particularly love what I believe are vibrant-sounding steel drums, which are interspersed throughout. She matches the faster pace very well, still sounding angelic, while voicing that a difficult choice is at hand. The ad-libs are once again the cherry on top, and the chorus nicely uses her upper range. It feels like a great continuation of the story of this EP.

‘Signs‘ moves us back in a more R’n’B direction, but still keeping a bit of bounce with that West Coast flavour. The most popular of the singles, Sunset Drver’s production and the confidence from our lead, make this an it-girl anthem. She is taking full control here, asking him to get down on one knee and stating she is ‘one of one’. Clearly, Essosa is hoping this becomes a more serious relationship.

The bounce of those kick drums immediately has you hooked on ‘Favourite Liar‘. Certainly, it takes inspiration from the intro of Mary J. Blige’s ‘Real Love’. This singer is once again asking this boy to make a move (clearly, he isn’t getting the hint). The background vocals joining in on the chorus give it some welly, while the rap verse was an unexpected but welcome surprise. A short, but sweet moment that will have you bopping along.

We close with the other two singles, ‘Touch bby‘ and ‘He’s Not All That‘. Having already spoken on the former in a previous First Listen Fridays, it remains true to the energetic R’n’B tales of situationships we have gotten thus far. Oh, and it is still a lot of fun.

As for the closer, it seems this story has reached its climax. Sadly, this person has proven to be a disappointment. The vibe is more melancholic with the keyboard and her tone indicating this. It still keeps up the vigor in sound, but Essosa uses the high notes to show disappointment, and realisation that it is time to move on. The words, “If he doesn’t want you back / If he just don’t understand / That you’re gold, you’re fine, you’re bad / Then he’s not all that.“, are not just for her, but for those listening and going through the same thing. A great way to round off this EP.

This project is only around 15 minutes long, but it uses that time well. It gives a well-told story, both in its words and in the artist’s performance. Complimented by the fun and energy in its sounds, whether WAVSDNTDIE, jkarri, or others are on production, it also succeeds musically. Clearly, there is inspiration from the noughties and artists like Janet Jackson and Kelis, whom the artist has highlighted themselves. However, it still feels true to Essosa and does what it sets out to do nicely. This may not push the boat out, but it isn’t trying to do that. When you can tell a good story, sing well, and float over some nice production, it usually comes out well. That is definitely the case here.

Rating: 8/10

Essosa is on Instagram, X, Threads, and TikTok. You can stream the EP below or read more album reviews here.

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