Whitehorse-Born, Vancouver-Based, Non-Binary, 2Spirit Indigqueer Femme Artist Edzi’u Releases Sensational, Cavity-Inducing Single “Sugar”
At times artists propel their art forward by sounding as if they have been around for decades through their approach, lyrics, and execution. For Edzi’u, known simply as Edzi’u, their latest single “Sugar” is out now and is a near-flawless track they’ve crafted from a variety of highbrow pop styles and synth-soaked influences. The result is a concise, uber cool creation that should only heighten Edzi’u’s status in both indigenous and electro-pop music circles both nationally and internationally.
Edzi’u shaped “Sugar” almost perfectly. It’s a timeless-sounding nugget bringing to mind icons such as Stevie Nicks and Kate Bush, critically acclaimed performers such as Lucius and Sharon Van Etten and Chicago-based dance duo DRAMA. It’s a musician whose work you can’t help but return to once hearing them for the first time.
“‘Sugar,’ true to its name, evokes nostalgia with its melody and is reminiscent of past lovers,” Edzi’u says of the follow up single to “This Love” also from the Tunnel Vision EP. Their voice is clear, ethereal, and still quite adept at riding a beautiful, sophisticated groove that begins “Sugar.” After a brief aside where Edzi’u’s enticing vocals are showcased, the single returns to the surefire, confident groove that both shines and soars.
In addition to writing and producing “Sugar,” both Edzi’u and Lin Gardiner added keyboards and programming to the song. “Sugar” offers concise but vivid imagery, while Clef Seeley also provides rich sonic textures on the OP1 (synthesizer) to have words and sound marvellously meld into one great track. Lyrically Edzi’u recalls all the ways a lover can make someone feel be it emotionally, spiritually or physically.
It’s the way
You pull me down babe
It’s the way
You bite my lips babe
The way
You rock me back and forth babe
The way
the way you move
And I’ll be
All you need
“Sugar,” which Edzi’u performed in July 2024 at the Jam In Jubilee in Abbotsford, British Columbia, is almost criminally infectious. It’s a credit to Edzi’u who uses this single to epitomize the whole “less is more” philosophy. In short, “Sugar” is an ear-candy jewel one could loop for hours. It’s also screaming to be a hypnotic, alluring remix in the not-too-distant future.
Edzi’u, a Tahltan and Tlingit artist, was born in Whitehorse but now calls Vancouver home. Tunnel Vision is the follow up to their 2023 full-length concept album entitled Potlatch in the Box. Edzi’u, whose music has been described as “inspired, innovative and immersive” by Tinnitist, made their international debut at the Document Film Festival in Glasgow, Scotland back in 2019. The artist, who studied music theory and composition at Vancouver Community College, was a sound technician for the CBC and currently works as a journalist for the outlet’s Indigenous Pathways program.
Now with a new EP to their credit and “Sugar” on the cusp of reaching ears the world over Edzi’u has a hit on their hands. In this rare instance, and contrary to medical and dietary experts, you can never get enough “Sugar.”
What inspired you to write “Sugar,” and how did the concept for the song develop?
Sugar is a studio song that I wrote with my co-writer Lin Gardiner. Originally we were working on my previous album Potlatch in the Box producing Warrior Song. We had been in the studio for around 11 hours and were going a little crazy – we ended up writing this beat that didn’t really fit with Warrior Song but we kept it for a rainy day. When I came in to record the EP Tunnel Vision we revisited the track and played with it and changed some sounds, I wrote some lyrics that felt like the energy of the song, and Sugar was born. It ended up being the first track on the EP and denotes the start of an intense love affair, the beginning of the saga of love and heartbreak that is now the theme and story of the whole EP.
You’ve been compared to icons like Stevie Nicks and Kate Bush – that’s pretty good company.
It’s a big honour to be compared to them both and I think it makes sense for sure because I listened to those artists so much growing up, and I love a ballad and epic builds in songs. They both have power, grit, and softness in their voices and it’s something I’ve always emulated growing up singing.Â
The lyrics of “Sugar” evoke nostalgia and past lovers. Can you elaborate on the emotions and experiences that influenced the song’s lyrics?
The song is really about the beginning of a new love, that intense passion and hope for the future. Unfortunately for the through-story of the EP Tunnel Vision, it’s a bit of the beginning of the end. Wanting someone to tell you that you’re the one but really we find out at the end of the EP that that love isn’t real. Sugar is sweet and dizzying and we love it but it lacks substance, ultimately. The song is a bit of foreshadowing for the end of the EP, a song called Ego Death.
As a Tahltan and Tlingit artist, how do your cultural roots influence your music, particularly in “Sugar”?
I think Indigenous love is sacred and beautiful, this EP was written out of the dissolution of an Indigiqueer relationship I really had experienced so much joy and connection but also a lot of pain. Tahltan and Tlingit potlatch culture teaches us about love and reciprocity and taking care of one another. This EP is about how I thought I had that, but in the end, it ended up being a lie – not the decolonial love I had thought it was. The love started out with hope and passion and joy and ended in a hard truth.