LIZZIE ESAU: A HEAD FULL OF BUGS

PHOTOGRAPHY STORM - WORDS MAISIE JANE DANIELS

Have you ever loved something so deeply it starts to hurt? Lizzie Esau knows that feeling well. In her latest single, "Bugs" - out today - she channels that ache into a raw, poetic exploration of creativity, doubt, and self-discovery.

Written in a moment of inner conflict, "Bugs" dives headfirst into the fragile tension between healing and artistic drive - the fear that getting better might somehow dull the edge that fuels great art. Through poetic, vivid imagery ("a head full of bugs"), Lizzie captures the noise and chaos of overthinking, the push and pull between vulnerability and control, and the strange comfort we sometimes find in the dark.

At F Word, we were excited to catch up with this bold new voice - an artist who isn't afraid to sit with the messy stuff and turn it into something beautiful.

LISTEN TO BUGS

Maisie Daniels: Hey Lizzie, welcome to F Word! How’s your week been treating you - feeling the sunshine?

Lizzie Esau: Hey! Thanks for having me, I’ve been loving the sun so much, this week I’ve gone back to my parents for a few days so I’ve actually been out and about enjoying it rather than hibernating away which is nice haha!

MD: Your latest single ‘BUGS’ drops on 2nd May - congrats! How are you feeling in the lead-up?

LE: There’s always a healthy amount of nerves, especially with this being the first single back after 3 full EP’s. It feels like the start of something new, which is always so exciting. I’m just so happy that other people are going to finally be able to hear what we’ve been hiding away making.

MD: ‘BUGS’ feels incredibly raw, honest, and introspective. What does this track represent for you personally?

LE: For me this track is about my own creativity and how it’s by far the thing I’m most grateful for, but because I love it so deeply it has the potential to cause me the most pain for sure. It’s also about feeling like I should be in a state of high emotions or some kind of turmoil to make good art and the impact that has on my life outside making art if I’m naturally drawn to that place. Essentially it’s a very personal and introspective song, but I think it can be applied to different scenarios. 

MD: It explores the tension between creativity and emotional turmoil. Do you think pain is essential to making meaningful art?

LE: I don’t think so now. I think I maybe used to think this way, and then I started to feel better in myself and had a scared moment of doubt (hence this song) but the irony is that I actually made a song about it. This then got me thinking about all the little rhymes and songs I’d write when I was little and I was reassured that I don’t just do this because I’ve been through certain situations, I make songs in spite of that. But it took me some time to realise I think, and it’s always a great coping mechanism for when things do happen for sure haha! 

MD: 'BUGS’ captures such a vulnerable headspace - did writing it feel like a form of release or understanding for you?

LE: It definitely felt like an understanding, I think I was almost trying to prove something to myself with this track, but it’s ended up being something that I’m so proud of, and has been brought to life by so many of my favourite people.

MD: You paint such vivid imagery in your lyrics - what inspired the idea of a "head full of bugs"?

LE: It’s mostly about little thoughts flying round and being annoying in your brain. But it could also mean like a technical ‘bug’ like things aren’t working properly. But really I just thought the imagery was nice and sounded cool so it ended up being the title haha!

MD: What do you hope listeners will take away from this track?

LE: Maybe that it’s okay to doubt yourself and that I do it all the time haha! But if you love doing something stick to it and remember why you started!

MD: What was the biggest shift or surprise that came up during the writing or production of ‘BUGS’?

LE: This song was honestly a bit of a challenge to get exactly as we wanted, it took me maybe half a day to make the original demo, when I sent it to the band and my producer they all liked it but we all agreed on trying a new chorus, from there I must have written and re written and rehearsed about 15 different versions. I just loved the song so much but wanted to do it justice and stick to it (hence the proving something to myself) and eventually I found something that really stuck. I can’t imagine it any other way now. The process from demo to finished recording was quite lengthy but I definitely think the track is better for it, I’m glad we took the time to really craft this one.

MD: You’ve spoken about entering a “new era” with confidence - what does this era look or feel like for you?

LE: It feels like a really exciting new change, I think because I’ve really taken the time to craft this new music it’s given me a lot of time to reflect and be really sure about what I’m putting out there, rather than prioritising consistency above everything. I think it’s definitely important to stay consistent but not good to fall into the trap of thinking it’s more important than loving what you’re making. 

MD: If you had to choose one essential ingredient that makes a great song, what would it be?

LE: I think feeling is the most important thing for me. As long as there’s something that moves me in some way whether it be lyrics or sounds, it’s rare that it’s one thing that I always gravitate to every time on a track, I think I have a really eclectic taste, when a song gives you butterflies there’s nothing better and it comes from so many different places. 

MD: Let’s do a quick-fire “BUGS” round:

MD: What’s something that bugs you?

LE: Slow walkers, it’s so petty but so annoying when people walk slowly in front of you and take up the whole path. There’s probably a lot more deeper ones I could think of but that just must be on my mind today! Or maybe I just need to chill out hahah! 

MD: If you were a bug, what bug would you be and why?

LE: Probably one of those really little fruit flies that love living in your house plants in the summer, I bet they have quite a nice life there. 

MD: What’s the biggest “bug” in your creative process / something that always trips you up?

LE: Knowing when to stop for sure. I think I could work on stuff for years and still find ways I want to change them haha. 

MD: Looking ahead, what’s in store for the rest of 2025?

LE: There lots of new music for sure! And lots more studio time and writing for me too which I’m really looking forward to. Like I say I think the music this year is a good evolution and actually perfect for the summer months a lot of it so the sun coming out is making me even more excited. I’d also really love to do another UK headline tour in the Autumn for sure!

MD: Who would be your dream collaborator and why?

LE: Ahh I think Imogen Heap, Thom Yorke, Paul McCartney any day. I’m definitely dreaming big haha! It would just be so incredible to write a song with any of these people and see into their genius minds for a second on how they make all my favourite music. 

MD: Is there anything you’re currently manifesting or calling in for this next chapter?

LE: Just as always for as many people who would like the music to be able to discover it. There’s so much amazing choice out there of new things to listen to, I just can’t wait to play more gigs this year and get the new songs out into the world and just to keep going. 

MD: And finally, what’s your favourite F-word?

LE: It has to be ‘Flash’ my dog, the best dog in the world.

DISCOVER MORE FROM LIZZIE ESAU