In an industry that often prizes perfection over authenticity, Izzy Escobar stands out as a rare voice who dares to be both honest and radiant. The Cuban-Italian singer-songwriter, born and raised in Massachusetts and now based in New York City, embodies what modern pop is missing — vulnerability wrapped in power, introspection set to cinematic soundscapes, and the ability to turn heartbreak into hope. With her debut EP Sunny in London, out October 24, she invites listeners into a journey through heartbreak, healing, and rediscovery.
The project, written after a difficult breakup, was born in the unlikeliest of places: a London hotel room. “I was in this city that’s usually cloudy, but that week, everyone kept saying, ‘It’s sunny in London,’” she recalls. “It became a metaphor for finding light even when you’re in a dark place.” That phrase became both the title and the soul of her debut — an empowering collection that transforms emotional pain into self-acceptance and renewal.
Escobar’s musical DNA is a fusion of pop, soul, and jazz, shaped by her classical training in violin and piano. Those early foundations taught her discipline, structure, and the art of storytelling through melody. “When I write pop songs, I still think like a composer,” she says. “Every hook, every dynamic, every lyric has intention.” Her sound, lush yet intentional, evokes cinematic storytellers like Billy Joel and the emotional depth of Adele, but with a modern edge all her own.
It’s that combination of craft and candor that has propelled Izzy into the spotlight. Her breakout single, “These Eyes,” went viral and surpassed a million streams on Spotify. Her follow-up, “Vendetta,” hit the same milestone in just ten days — proof that her emotional honesty resonates deeply with fans. Still, beneath her growing fame, Izzy remains grounded in purpose. “To connect, to empower, and to inspire — that’s what keeps me grounded,” she says. “Music can heal and connect us. That’s what it’s always been about for me.”
Her new EP reflects that purpose vividly. Across its songs, she chronicles the emotional spectrum — from betrayal to empowerment, from tears to triumph. It’s not just an album about heartbreak; it’s a roadmap for anyone learning to love themselves again after being broken. “Writing was my way of processing,” she shares. “I turned pain into art, and that art became freedom.”
As Izzy prepares to take her story on the road with a series of intimate shows in New York (Oct. 24), Los Angeles (Oct. 29), and London (Nov. 7), she reflects on how far she’s come from the Massachusetts basement where she first dreamed of making music. “My younger self would be proud,” she says, smiling. “Proud that she never gave up, that she followed her purpose, and that she found the light again.”
Read our full interview with Izzy Escobar — where she opens up about heartbreak, healing, empowerment, and the inspiration behind Sunny in London.
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Massachusetts, but my dad is from Havana, Cuba, and my mom is Italian. Those cultures were always alive in my home and within me — the passion, the rhythm, and the love for the arts. Even though I grew up in a small town, there was always this deep sense of warmth, expression, and music surrounding everything I did.
How do you describe your musical genre?
My music lives between pop, soul, and jazz – cinematic yet deeply personal, and a hundred percent coming from an authentic place of me. I grew up loving all genres of music, surrounded by everything from classical and jazz to musical theater. Because of that, I have a deep appreciation for all styles, and I think in some way, they all find their way into my sound.
How would you describe your sound and musical influences?
I’m influenced by artists anywhere from Beethoven to Billy Joel – storytellers who pour their truth into every line. I love when music feels like a movie scene and pours its heart out all at once. I want listeners to see and feel the story as much as they hear it.
As a Cuban-Italian artist based in New York, how do your cultural roots and personal identity influence your music?
The beautiful thing about New York is that it’s a melting pot of all cultures, and I’ve loved throwing myself into many different ones outside of my own. I’ve found inspiration everywhere in the rhythm of the streets, in late-night conversations, in the people who come from all walks of life. New York became a huge source of inspiration for me because of how fast-paced it is, yet how down-to-earth the people are. It also felt like getting back to my East Coast roots. When I was still living in L.A. and would visit New York, I noticed something shift I couldn’t stop writing. I’d overhear conversations on the street or the subway and immediately jot down lyrics or stories. There’s something about this city that makes you feel everything all at once – it moves you, challenges you, and keeps your creativity alive.
You’re classically trained on violin and fluent on piano – how do those roots shape the way you approach pop songwriting?
Classical training gave me structure and discipline. It also gave me a foundation in music theory – pitch, rhythm, cadences – and introduced me to the melodic structures I fell in love with. When I write pop songs, I still think like a composer. Every hook, every dynamic, every lyric has intention. The teachers who guided me growing up were some of my greatest mentors. They taught me how to experience life through the lens of music – that no matter what I went through, I could process it through sound. I’ve always seen the world in lyrics, melodies, and harmony, and I’m endlessly grateful for that outlet.
Your career has grown quickly, from going viral with “These Eyes” to performing at NYFW and major festivals – how do you stay grounded?
To connect, to empower, and to inspire — that’s what keeps me grounded. The industry moves fast, but I want to move meaningfully. Staying grounded, to me, is about taking care of my inner world as much as my outer world, and believing every day with passion that music has the power to change the world. It can heal, connect, and allow others to express and move their emotions through their bodies. That’s what it’s always been about for me. Returning to love.
“These Eyes” has now surpassed 1 million streams on Spotify alone. What did you feel when the song started gaining traction, and when did you realize,
It’s a surreal moment when the thing you’ve been working and dreaming of your entire life finally starts to bloom. It feels even more surreal knowing that the song came from such a vulnerable place – it was me processing pain through melody. When it started resonating with people, I realized the power of honesty and the beauty in sharing moments that are imperfect. The “wow” moment for me came when strangers began reaching out, telling me how the song helped them heal or navigate their own situations. That’s when I knew I was onto something real.
Now, a few months after the world got to know Izzy Escobar, you’re giving fans your debut EP. Can you tell us about “Sunny in London”?
“Sunny in London” is a story about heartbreak, healing, and rediscovering myself in the aftermath. Every song is a chapter — from anger to acceptance, darkness to light. It’s a memoir, but also a reminder that we must find light somehow amidst the cloudy days and the darkness that can so easily enter our hearts when things get tough. I want this project to inspire listeners to ask themselves that same question — what is your Sunny in London? How do you find your light amidst the dark places?
What does the title of the EP represent, and why did you choose it?
I had gone through a really bad breakup and found myself in London on my own. While I was there, I started writing – multiple new songs every single day. I was in this city that’s usually known for being cloudy, and yet everyone kept saying to me during that week, “It’s sunny in London.” That phrase always stuck with me. To me, it became a metaphor about finding light even while you’re in a dark place. London brought me back to remembering who I am, where I came from, and why I make music in the first place. It reminded me of my purpose — and that’s where the EP was born.
The project explores heartbreak and betrayal before resolving in self-realization and empowerment. How important was it to write about those feelings to move on, and what do you hope listeners take away?
Writing was my way of processing. I turned pain into art, and that art became freedom. My hope is that listeners feel less alone – that they see that heartbreak can become a doorway to strength, not an ending.
Which of those stages – resilience, betrayal, empowerment – was the hardest to put into words?
Betrayal, for sure. It’s hard to write about the moments where you felt small or silenced. But once I did, it became my power. That’s the magic of songwriting — it transforms the hurt into something you own.
Empowerment is central to your work. What does empowerment mean to you now?
Empowerment, to me, is being 100% confident in the version of me that’s authentically myself without trying to fit into anything or anyone else’s mold. It’s feeling empowered within that truth and standing in it fully – flaws, strength, sensitivity, and all. That’s what I want my listeners to feel too: the freedom that comes with owning exactly who you are.
“Vendetta” reached 1 million streams in just 10 days – what do you think made fans rally behind it so strongly?
I think many people have been in a situation where they felt unheard or suppressed their emotions and tried to bury them deep within. I hope that when people listen to this song, it becomes a moment of reclamation – a moment where they find their voice again and feel empowered in the understanding that they don’t have to be defined by what happened to them. I think people connected with that fire – the freedom that comes from saying, “You can’t take my power. You can hurt me, but you’ll never find another me.”
Among the songs from “Sunny in London,” which one carries the most weight for you personally?
It always fluctuates. I have so many favorites for different reasons, but at the moment, my favorite is Jackie O. It’s a song that’s going to be on my upcoming EP, and it means so much to me because it was the moment I walked into the studio and said, “I don’t want to keep writing about heartbreak. What comes after the heartbreak? What comes after the pain?” It was the first time I really sat with myself and envisioned what my dream love and dream life could look like. I ended up realizing that in order to attract that love into my life, I first needed to become the woman I had always aspired to be. Energetically, writing that song was a huge shift for me – not just creatively, but personally. And ironically enough, I met my partner two weeks after that song was written.
Now that the EP is out, if you could describe your feelings in just five words, what would they be?
Grateful. Free. Reborn. Empowered. Loving.
Looking back, what do you think younger Izzy – the one writing in that Massachusetts basement – would say about the artist you’ve become?
She’d be proud. Proud that she always believed this dream was real, and that she followed her purpose and never strayed from it – even from such a young age.
Looking ahead, what’s next for Izzy Escobar?
I’m so excited for what’s ahead. My debut EP Sunny in London will be released on October 24th, and I’ll be celebrating with a series of stripped-down release shows — in New York on October 24th, Los Angeles on October 29th, and London on November 7th. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone in person and spreading these lyrics around the world. I truly can’t wait – this has all been a dream come true. You can keep following the journey at @izzy.escobar, and find show details at izzyescobarmusic.com.
Listen to Izzy Escobar’s “Jackie O” from her debut EP Sunny in London on our Spotify playlist:
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