Rockshot Magazine favourite Lizzie Esau continues her rapid ascent through the UK’s alt-rock landscape with the release of her most accomplished single to date, Bugs. A darkly euphoric track filled with emotional grit and lyrical nuance, Bugs sees the 25-year-old Newcastle native confront the chaos of creative self-doubt with ferocity — and catharsis.
Lizzie Esau @ Oslo
Though Bugs lands in the wake of a breakout 2024, this is far from a debut moment. Esau has already proven herself as a thrilling live performer, not least with a career-defining set on the BBC Introducing Stage at Glastonbury Festival 2024, where she captivated Worthy Farm with her high-octane presence and emotional honesty. Her name has since become synonymous with rising alt-rock talent, praised for a sound that pulls from 2000s indie grit, ’90s grunge attitude, and present-day lyrical introspection.
With Bugs, Esau digs deeper than ever. Written during a bout of writer’s block, the track emerged from the internal conflict of feeling too content to create — a fear that emotional stability might dull her edge. The result is a thunderous reflection on the uneasy relationship between turmoil and artistry. “My downfall is my muse / If you asked me I would choose / To stay just as I am / I’m no fun unless I’ve drank,” she sings, with a vocal performance that veers between resigned vulnerability and righteous fury.
Opening with ominous synths and a minimalist beat, Bugs builds into a storm of thundering drums and a soaring chorus that would feel right at home in a festival headline slot. Its release signals a new era for Esau — and possibly the lead-up to her long-awaited debut album. “I feel inspired and ready for a new era of music… I can’t wait for the next year of building up to my biggest, most exciting body of work yet,” she shared, teasing what’s to come.
The single follows a slew of key moments from the past year, including heavy BBC Radio 1 airplay from Greg James, a spotlight as part of the Future Artists: Next Wave series, and additions to Radio X’s Xposure Playlist. She was also handpicked by The Ivors Academy for their Under 25 Chair, and her electrifying cover of Muddy Waters’ tune I’m A Man featured prominently in Amazon Prime’s hit series My Lady Jane.
Lizzie Esau @ Oslo
April 2024 marked a triumphant homecoming, with a sold-out BBC Introducing show at The Glasshouse in Tyne and Wear. Prior to that, she toured the UK alongside rising acts South Arcade and Soft Launch, cementing her status as a must-watch on the live circuit. With headline dates continuing this spring, and a powerful catalogue of new music unfolding, Lizzie Esau’s trajectory feels unstoppable.
Bugs isn’t just a milestone — it’s a manifesto. For those who’ve followed her since Rockshot Magazine first caught her in 2023, this moment feels like the opening of something much bigger. If turmoil births art, then Esau is creating from the eye of the storm — and the results are exhilarating.
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