Emerging singer/songwriter ZIZI delivers her new project valentine’s day, to commemorate her breakup. Cheekily titled to reflect lover’s day and the theatrics that come with it, ZIZI brings to the foreground some insightful and engaging stories revolving around the dynamics of love.

The 3 track project starts with  “february,” a bouncy trap/R&B track that explores deep love and the never-ending yearning for the touch of one’s significant other. The production has a dark and looming vibe that taps into the emotional element of the lyrics. Lines like “I can tell you all the things I am feeling/ How I’m all fucked up and I need your healing/summertime with you I forget all my winter blues” underscore ZIZI’s outpour of emotions. She is not afraid to be vulnerable, and her willingness to express her feelings is what drives the song.  Her vocal style is distinct and has a sultry edge that cuts through the mix like a hot knife through butter. The second track, “hbs” starts with a moody, off-beat, and woozy synth before building into a downtempo beat that evokes sadness. Here, ZIZI reflects on the aftermath of a breakup and the events that led to it. She reminisces on the good times and how the cracks eventually gave way and led to the dissolution of their union. The track has a lot of sad moments, with ZIZI having to come to terms with parting ways with someone she truly loved. Lines like “Looking back, I guess I didn’t know what true love should be/Looking back, I let you strip away a part of me/dead and gone but still you left me with the memories/faded memories filled with tragedy”  sees ZIZI looking back with a 20/20 hindsight, as she processes her emotional pain with renewed strength.

The final track “all mine” is bolstered by a rich Spanish-like guitar lick reminiscent of Darkchild/Timbaland production from the early 2000s. The track is punchy and quite different from the previous tracks in terms of aesthetics and approach. ZIZI employs a rap-like melodic flow and uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of a woman who is in love and won’t settle for less. She doesn’t hide her true feelings as she beckons to her potential lover to stay the night and spend more time building the blossoming love between them. As the title suggests, ZIZI is ready to go all out for this individual and hopes they do the same.

Overall, valentine’s day, is a bit of a quick rollercoaster of emotions. For the most part, ZIZI is despondent and in the later part, she seems to have found what makes her happy, which is true unconditional love. Since this EP is just a teaser of what is to come, listeners can rest assured that she has a lot on her musical sleeves.