LYZZA reveals forthcoming mixtape 'Mosquito'

Amsterdam-based, Brazil-born producer and vocalist LYZZA has announced her forthcoming mixtape, 'Mosquito'.

Due for release on September 16, the 10-tracker alt-pop tape is an expression of LYZZA's experience as a Black woman in the music industry.

Exploring the notion of preconceptions, social dynamics and misunderstanding of people living their day-to-day lives, the artist drew inspiration and an affinity from an unlikely muse - a mosquito - hence the name of the mixtape.

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“To me a mosquito really encapsulates an uncomfortable presence in your surroundings," she explains. "Although it’s such a small creature, it has such an effect on the outside world. We all know the common feelings having a mosquito in your space brings, they have a stand out presence which I think plays into the idea of misunderstanding in current society so perfectly; everyone surely feels like the mosquito in the room sometimes.

“Because I am black and make alternative music, I identify with the disruptive and intrusive nature of a mosquito. The fact that I look the way I look, make the music I make and you know who I am means somehow I've been able to penetrate through the noise and bias.”

Accompanying the mixtape announcement, LYZZA has dropped lead single from the tape 'Deserve It' featuring Spanish trap singer La Zowi, which is joined by visuals which explore different dynamics of uncomfortability and power, where a helicopter resembles the 'Mosquito':

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“The common theme around ‘Mosquito’ correlates to something that has a big presence in the room, that has a huge impact on the environment but everyone mistreats it, underestimates it and it’s seen as something small," explains director Thyago Sainte. "I took a picture of a helicopter crossing Ipanema very close to the ground after me and LYZZA met in Brazil, and noticed the similarities between mosquitoes and helicopters.

"Playing with all these ideas related to mosquitoes, and the very sexy sort of dark, weird reggaeton style of music, I came to the central idea of the video which is to portrait an impossible sexual/love relationship where LYZZA’s character falls (obsessively) in love with a Helicopter.”

In the lead-up to the mixtape's release, LYZZA will be sharing a five-part video series, documenting its creation. However, in the meantime, you can listen to LYZZA's latest single 'Deserve It' now, with the video above.

Niamh Ingram is Mixmag's Weekend Editor, follow her on Twitter