Meet The Enchanting Electro-Pop Singer-Songwriter… YAZELLE

London’s rising star YAZELLE has unveiled her latest single, ‘Feel Me’, which combines elements of house, garage and electro beats, all wrapped up in her captivating vocals. YAZELLE’s distinctive enchanting sound and cutting-edge electronic beats create a mesmerising auditory experience. YAZELLE spoke to us about the new single, the journey to finding her sound, and staying authentic in the industry. 

Hi YAZELLE. Congratulations on releasing your latest track, ‘Feel Me’ What was the creative process like for the record?

Thanks so much! I’m so excited for it to be out. This process was different from my previous ones. In July, I held a songwriting camp for my artist project, where “Feel Me” began. I had the chance to work with a couple of new writers, alongside my usual producer and co-writer. It was great to get a different take on the brief I set for the writing session, and those fresh perspectives and ideas really brought something new and exciting to the creative process.

How is ‘Feel Me’ different in comparison to your other music? What makes this song unique?

With each song, I try to create something unique while keeping a cohesive sound that reflects who I am as an artist. This track captures a particular moment and emotion, letting me explore new themes while staying true to my core style. While it may differ in some ways, it still holds onto what makes my music distinctly’ me.’

Was there a specific turning point in your life when you realised music needed to become a priority for you?

Music was always in the back of my mind, and I had a feeling I’d come back to it after briefly exploring it when I was younger, though I wasn’t sure when or how. Just before COVID, I started feeling uncertain and dissatisfied with my career as a session nail artist – a path I knew from the start was a creative outlet, not a long-term plan.

Lockdown gave me the time to reflect (like it did for a lot of people), and I realised I had outgrown that path and was just going through the motions. The pull toward music grew stronger, and when I returned to work after the restrictions were lifted, I knew it was the right time to fully commit.

One of my friends even joked that I somehow caused COVID, because right before everything shut down I said I wished the world would stop for a bit so I could catch my breath and think straight. It’s funny in hindsight (and if only I was that powerful!) but that pause really did give me the clarity to make music my priority.

What advice would you give to someone experiencing the all-consuming love you describe in your song “Feel Me”?

First off, just be careful! It’s so important not to let those strong feelings cloud your judgment about who the other person Oreally is or to overlook any red flags. Make sure you’re not mistaking other needs for love. It’s all about ensuring that your feelings are really about them and not just a reflection of your own desires. Enjoy the excitement, but don’t lose yourself in it! Just be careful not to let it take over your life or leave you feeling hurt or drained in the end.

I know a lot of your music reflects love and life, why do you think it’s important to make music that reflects shared experiences with your listeners?

Honestly, I don’t know how I could create music any other way. Music has been such a source of support for me, both as a fan and as an artist. It really connects people and helps put feelings into words that can be hard to express. That connection has played a big role in my journey. It means a lot to me to think that I can help, inspire, or bring a little joy to someone else – or even just provide an escape – by sharing my story and experiences. That’s why I naturally end up writing music that reflects those shared moments.

When I started making dance music, I was drawn to it for reasons I didn’t fully understand at first. I hesitated because I thought the lyrics might not be meaningful or emotional. But once I dug deeper, I found that a lot of dance tracks have this amazing mix of energy and depth, which encouraged me to express my feelings more directly. With that in mind, I feel like my lyrics are becoming more vulnerable with each track.

Do you feel you fit into a specific genre, or do you draw from a mix of influences in your music?

Right now, I feel like the music I’m creating is leaning more towards dance, but I always try to ensure the lyrics and vocal melodies have some depth and tell a story. I love incorporating a bit of R&B influence, and I enjoy using vocal stacking and harmonies, which can sometimes get overlooked in dance tracks.

I draw inspiration from a wide range of music and grew up surrounded by all sorts of styles, from Pop and Soul to Arabic music – thanks to my Egyptian Dad’s side. R&B has always been my main love, thanks to the 90’s era, but I don’t stick to just one genre. A great song can cross boundaries, and different styles hit me in different ways at different times. I’m in the process of discovering my unique sound, which will evolve as I continue to create music and experiment. At the heart of it, I believe my true sound centers on meaningful lyrics, memorable melodies, and vocals that convey genuine emotions.

I’m starting to understand the distinction between simply enjoying a particular song or style and the desire to create something similar. While I appreciate a range of influences, I’m also eager to find ways to integrate those elements into my own music. This journey is all about uncovering my niche, and I strive to maintain consistency in the style I’ve chosen while still allowing room for exploration.

What would be an aspiration of yours when it comes to live performances? Is that something that excites you?

I’m currently shifting my focus towards live performances because that’s where the real connection with the music happens. I’ve been enjoying the journey of releasing music that resonates with people, but I’m especially excited for the moments when the audience sings back the lyrics I wrote – it’s that connection that I believe will truly bring the songs to life.

Recording in the studio is a different experience, where the emphasis is on perfecting the sound. In contrast, performing live lets me communicate the emotions behind my music, giving it a much freer feel. That’s why, even though I’m working on dance tracks, I plan to perform more stripped-back acoustic versions of my songs. This approach allows me to convey the feelings and lyrics more authentically and helps me reach new audiences. I don’t want to be pigeonholed as just a dance artist; while there’s nothing wrong with that, it doesn’t encompass all that I am.

I’m currently missing the instant feedback that comes from live performances. It will be incredible to see how people respond to my songs in real time, and that connection and feedback can inspire the direction of my future music.

If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?

I’m still figuring out my sonic identity and who I am as an artist, so I want to avoid pigeonholing myself or limiting potential collaborations. While there are artists I admire, I’m not sure if working with them aligns with my sound at the moment. It’s like loving a song but not necessarily wanting to create something similar because it might not fit my artistic vision.

That said, I have some artists in mind, like Diplo, Sonny Fodera, and Calvin Harris, who I believe would complement what I’m creating now, as they are incredible figures in the dance music scene. However, I also think collaborating with less conventional choices from other genres could lead to something fresh and unexpected. Having focused on my own music and discovering my sound over the past few months, I’ll start exploring collaboration opportunities in more detail as they come up.

What challenges have you faced in your music career, and how have they shaped who you are as an artist?

Oh man, where do I even begin?! I’ve faced self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and that feeling of being lost, especially in the early stages when I was trying to find my direction (which still pops up on occasion). Balancing my instincts with the advice of others has been tricky. Choosing the right team is crucial; the right people can really smooth out the journey, while the wrong ones can add unnecessary stress. I often struggle to connect with those who share my vision, forward-thinking mindset, and attention to detail. Honestly, no one cares about your career as much as you do.

Social media can feel like a full-time job! Juggling multiple roles has its challenges, but it’s also rewarding (A lot of learning on the go!) My “all or nothing” mindset – which I’ve come to realise is linked to my recent ADHD diagnosis – makes it difficult to find balance. I frequently ask myself, “Am I doing too much? Am I doing enough?” Delegating tasks can be tough because I feel like I’m the only one who can execute them as I envision, but I know I can’t handle everything without burning out.

Another challenge has been trusting that I’m creating great music while understanding that it takes time to reach my audience. Staying consistent can be tough, but for me, it’s not just an option – I have to keep moving forward.

Despite the challenges, I’m really grateful for the amazing support I’ve found along the way. These experiences are shaping me into a stronger, more resilient artist and helping me understand myself and my music better. Each hurdle I’ve faced pushes me to explore new boundaries and prepares me for what’s next. So, let’s see what’s around the corner! I’m pretty sure I’m ready for it…and if not, I’m doing it anyway!

Make sure to listen to YAZELLE’s immersive new single, ‘Feel Me,’ here or below.