UK Pop sensation iżi is back with a brand new single, "Same Thing." This soulful track delves deep into the emotional rollercoaster of a complicated relationship. With her heartfelt lyrics and powerful vocals, iżi continues to carve out a space for herself in the music world, offering a fresh blend of pop melodies and raw authenticity.
Born and raised in Leicester, England, and trained at the Urdang Academy in London, iżi's artistic journey has seen her wear many hats—dancer, performer, and now emerging pop artist. With a past that includes dancing for Becky Hill and starring in music videos for top UK artists, her extensive experience in the industry has shaped her into a multifaceted talent. But her ability to connect emotionally with her audience through her music truly sets her apart.
"Same Thing" captures a tumultuous relationship's emotional highs and lows. The song's lyrics explore the internal conflict of loving someone who is emotionally inconsistent and the frustrating push-pull dynamic that comes with longing for a connection while feeling uncertain about the future. Despite the lack of closure and unanswered questions, the track's themes also touch on the willingness to stand by a partner, even when you're unsure if your efforts will be reciprocated.
Reflecting on the song's deeper message, iżi shares, "I hope people take away a sense of comfort and validation. It's okay to feel conflicted in love. If this song helps someone feel less alone, then I've done my job." With "Same Thing," she offers not just a song but a reflection on love, vulnerability, and self-realization.
iżi, your new single "Same Thing" delves into the emotional highs and lows of a turbulent relationship. Can you walk us through the creative process behind this song?
Same Thing is one of the most personal songs I’ve ever written. It was inspired by my own experience of navigating the aftermath of a breakup. The creative process began with the guitar melody—it’s simple, raw, and reflective, which felt like the perfect foundation to capture the vulnerability of the emotions I was feeling. Midian Mathers, who produced the track, had the idea of adding in the violins which was brought to life by Ashilee Ashilee who layered in the violins that gradually build throughout the song. The strings mirror the emotional intensity of longing and heartbreak, peaking in the instrumental before returning to the same quiet guitar melody at the end. It was important to me that the song feels like a journey—one that starts with pain and confusion but ends with a sense of closure and peace. The lyrics were co-written with Midian, Dean Hall, Ashilee Ashilee and myself. We wanted the words to feel as raw and real as the emotions themselves—capturing the push and pull of wanting love but knowing it’s not being reciprocated the way it should. It’s one of those songs that really took on a life of its own, and I couldn’t be prouder of how it turned out.
You've had a diverse background, from dancing with artists like Becky Hill to becoming a singer-songwriter. How has your experience as a dancer shaped your approach to music and performance? Does it influence how you connect with your audience on stage?
My background as a dancer has had a huge impact on how I approach music and performance. Dancing with artists like Becky Hill taught me so much about stage presence, energy, and how to connect with an audience. As a dancer, you’re constantly interpreting music physically, so I’ve always had this deep connection to rhythm, movement, and emotion. That naturally carries over into how I write songs and perform them. When I’m on stage, it’s not just about singing the lyrics—it’s about embodying the story of the song. I want the audience to feel what I’m feeling, and movement helps me communicate that. Whether it’s subtle gestures during an emotional ballad like Same Thing or full-on high-energy moments for upbeat tracks like 5am, I’m always thinking about how my body and music work together to create an experience. It’s also made me very aware of the audience. As a dancer, you learn to read a crowd, and I carry that into my performances as a singer. I love those moments where I can feel the energy bouncing back and forth between me and the audience. It’s like we’re all part of the same story for those few minutes, and that’s such a powerful feeling.
Your music is described as a platform for personal growth and authenticity. In what ways do you hope your songs, particularly "Same Thing," help others process their emotions or feel less alone in their experiences?
For me, music has always been a way to process emotions and make sense of life’s messier moments. With Same Thing, I wanted to create something deeply personal but universal enough that anyone who’s experienced heartbreak or unreciprocated love could see themselves in it. It’s about those emotional highs and lows we all go through—the longing, the self-doubt, and eventually finding peace. I hope this song becomes a space for listeners to feel whatever they need to feel, whether that’s sadness, reflection, or even hope. Sometimes, just hearing someone else put into words what you’re struggling to express can make you feel less alone. It reminds you that your feelings are valid and that others have been there too. The cyclical nature of the song—starting and ending with the same guitar melody—mirrors the journey of healing. I hope that resonates with people who might be going through something similar, reminding them that even though pain is part of the process, there’s closure and clarity on the other side. If Same Thing can help someone feel seen or bring them a little comfort, then I’ve done what I set out to do as an artist.
You mentioned that the song explores feelings of confusion, vulnerability, and the push-pull of unbalanced love. How do you think your journey and self-realization have influenced the themes of emotional complexity in your music?
My journey and moments of self-realization have been pivotal in shaping the emotional complexity of my music. I’ve gone through phases of confusion, heartbreak, and growth, and those experiences have taught me that emotions are rarely simple or linear. That’s what I try to capture in my songs—how love, loss, and self-discovery often coexist in this beautiful, messy way. With Same Thing, I tapped into a very raw place in my life where I was wrestling with unreciprocated love. At the time, it felt so confusing—loving someone deeply but knowing they couldn’t meet me where I needed them to. Writing about it helped me unpack that push-pull dynamic and recognize how much of it was tied to my own need for validation and closure. Now, when I reflect on those moments, I see how they’ve made me more self-aware and more intentional about what I want—not just in love, but in life. That’s where the vulnerability in my music comes from: being honest with myself first, so I can be honest with others. I think people connect with that complexity because it mirrors real life. We all have those moments of contradiction, where our hearts and minds don’t quite align. My goal is to put that into words and melodies that resonate, making people feel understood and a little less alone in their emotional chaos.
As a rising artist in the UK pop scene, how do you envision your music evolving, and what messages or themes do you hope to explore next?
As I continue to grow as an artist, I envision my music evolving in a way that reflects my own personal journey and the stories of the people I connect with. Right now, my songs explore vulnerability, relationships, and emotional healing, but I’m excited to dive even deeper into themes like self-discovery, empowerment, and the complexities of human connection. Sonically, I want to keep experimenting. I love blending genres—whether it’s the garage vibe of my other tracks 5am and Heaven in Motion or the cinematic balladry of Same Thing—and I’m curious to see how I can push those boundaries further. Collaboration is also a big part of my evolution. Working with incredible creatives like Midian Mathers has shown me how much magic can happen when you open yourself up to new ideas and perspectives. Looking ahead, I want my music to inspire people to embrace their authenticity and take ownership of their stories. There’s so much power in realizing you’re not defined by your struggles but by how you rise from them. Whether it’s through heartbreak, joy, or those in-between moments, I hope my songs become a soundtrack for anyone navigating their way through life. More than anything, I want my music to remind people that they’re never alone in what they’re feeling—and that there’s always hope on the other side.