Yaz León: The Star-in-Waiting Unveils Her Groundbreaking Debut EP ‘Bleach’

Get ready to be transported by Yaz León, the West London artist making waves with her highly anticipated debut EP, Bleach, this self-produced gem is a genre-defying journey through indie, soul, and hip-hop, punctuated by Yaz’s distinctive vocals and lyrical depth. With standout tracks like "Gully," "Mouthwash," and "4th Wall" featuring BUKKY, Bleach offers a rich tapestry of nostalgia, emotion, and sonic exploration. As Yaz León continues to defy genre boundaries and captivate audiences with her fearless artistry, Bleach* stands as a testament to her innovative approach and compelling storytelling.

1. Your latest EP, Bleach, is a fascinating blend of genres, including indie, soul, and hip-hop. Can you elaborate on how you approach genre blending in your music, and what influences or inspirations guide this unique fusion?

I’d been listening to a lot of Imogen Heap, Duster, and Dinosaur Jr. while I was producing the EP, so they’ll definitely be in there somewhere. But I try to ignore any idea I have of where the songs will end up. Obviously, I overthink as much as the next person (maybe more), and it’s not too hard to predict what genres instruments like 808s fit into. But maintaining that childlike exploration makes the process so much more fun. I’m in no rush to find my “sound”.

2. The track “Gully” has been highlighted as the lead single of Bleach, and it’s described as having an ethereal and heart-wrenching quality. What was the inspiration behind this song, and how does it set the tone for the rest of the EP?

I’ve been a bit cheeky and wrote the lyrics so that it could sound romantic. It’s actually about my first memory of feeling ‘dejavú’. I think it’s an applicable experience though. You can feel like history is repeating after another failed relationship or if something ends with no closure. And to top it off, that bloody nostalgia fucks you in the head and sends you 10 steps back in your recovery process. It’s like trying to outrun taxes. Anyway, production wise, Gully has the furthest production evolution of the track list, and I think that’s a perfect example of the theme of the EP.  

3. You’ve mentioned that Bleach represents an internal monologue and explores themes of mania and self-argument. How did you channel these personal experiences into your songwriting, and what was the creative process like for turning these emotions into music?

At the end of the day it’s that manic irrational thinking that creates the (self-proclaimed) interesting inner-monologue. And clearly, I’m a big over thinker but I don’t really force myself to write anything when I don’t want to, which makes the things I do a little more effective. A little phrase here, a few words I like there (in my notes app) and I’ll come back to them later when I’m writing. 

4. The collaboration with BUKKY on “4th Wall” stands out in Bleach. How did this partnership come about, and what was it like working with BUKKY to explore themes of identity and personal growth in this track?

I actually met Bukky on a night out one time, while I was feeling a bit sociable, and then didn’t hit them up till like 7 months later. The creative chemistry was pretty amazing, and it helps that they’re lovely and we both chat so much shit. Obviously, when it came down to actually writing, we noticed we had a lot of resentment towards the same groups and the same approach to production. Magic. 

5. Your music often captures a blend of nostalgia and self-discovery. How do you balance these elements in your songwriting and production, and how do you think this balance contributes to the emotional depth and authenticity of your work?

I think self-discovery comes automatically when you experiment. That’s not always going to look great. There’s a lot of music that was made during the project that will probably never see the light of day. I’m taking those to my grave. No posthumous albums with those, thanks. Of course, I’m a sucker for nostalgia because everything seems clearer in hindsight (and thinking too far into the future stresses me out). Everything is easier to talk about when it’s in the past. That’s probably why I tend to intuitively produce and leave all the thinking and discussion for the lyrics.