Vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, London-born Aziya has built a loyal following around her skilful and contemporary take on punk rock. The young musician is Gen Z through and through, from her rise to stardom via social media – specifically Twitter, she reminds me – right down to the lack of capital letters on her tracklists. ‘I definitely want my music to be a sign of the times,’ says the 24-year-old, who confronts the trials of love and life through songs like ‘atomic’ and ‘wundagirl.’
Whilst Aziya has two feet firmly planted in the current decade, her inspirations are musical mavericks of the past. ‘I knew I wanted to do this post-punk world,’ she says of her previous EP Lonely Castles – an independent release that granted Aziya full creative control. ‘The whole thing is me being like, “What would Bjork do?” or “What would Debbie Harry do?” That’s where the EP lands. There’s a lot more nods to hip-hop, perhaps not in the sounds, but more in the fact that it’s a mix-tape.’
Unsurprisingly, the months ahead are punctuated by gigs, festivals and tours for Aziya: ‘I’ve got a headline show happening in June, I’m playing Dot to Dot in Bristol, I’m doing a tour in April and I’m going to Paris for the first time to play which will be fun.’
Until then, the young musician is kicking about at her newfound musical haven, a new studio in Leytonstone. ‘There’s a hub of women just cooking up and producing down there,’ she says, adding that it’s where she currently spends most of her time. Her ideal Friday night in London? A trip down to alternative east London hotspot The Shacklewell Arms – ‘because you can just dance on the stage all night, and that’s my favourite thing to do.’
Aziya’s latest single ‘party’s over’ is out now. Listen to her Friday night playlist here.
Santigold - Lights Out
‘I wanted this on the playlist because it sets the scene of the 2010s indie sleaze TV show I was never in. You’re at home with the girls getting the drinks in, you don’t know what the night holds, but you know you’re in good hands with Santi just singing optimistic 2010s bangers.’
Death Grips - Get Got
‘This is the one that I play on the way to The Shack, when I don’t want anyone talking to me, this is my bad B energy. We’re a little bit scary, it’s a little bit like “oop!”’
Ethel Cain - American Teenager
‘This is if you decided to not go out and you just wanted to cry with your friends, or with a glass of wine and sing it at the top of your lungs. It’s such an anthem and I’m such an Ethel Cain stan, she’s my Bruce Springsteen essentially.’
Rosalía - SAOKO
‘This is when I’m getting a bit sassy, this one’s good for if you’re about to go out but you want to stay in as well – the Duolingo notification has come through so you go to this one.’
Finale - Me Siento Ridículo
‘Just as the night is ending and you’re at a high, this is 5 minutes until the lights go up wherever you are and you just need to sweat out whatever’s left inside you to start your week.’
