MOZË walks us through her debut EP, MOSAIC

April 9, 2024

My EP, titled ‘MOSAIC’, explores the tapestry of femininity. With each track, I reveal the different layers of womanhood – retribution, empowerment, sensitivity, sisterhood, empathy and spirituality.

I felt a little trapped by this in an era dominated by streaming platforms that can confine artists to predefined categories. When I write, I gravitate towards how I’m feeling and that might mean I create a folk piece one day and a disco number the next. With ‘MOSAIC’, I wanted to transcend singular genres, inviting listeners into a realm of boundless creativity that touches on RNB, soul, disco, pop, and electronic house music. Through two years of meticulous composition, I have worked to carefully craft my sound, taking inspiration from women in Melbourne’s music scene. Collaborating with and supporting artists Stevie Jean, Velvet Bloom, Woodes, Georgia Maq, Tia Gostello, Odette, Kat Edwards, Mathilde Anne and Squid Nebula has been integral to my artistic growth.

‘MOSAIC’ epitomises the complexities of womanhood in all its richness and diversity. Reflecting on feminine strength, this EP is a timeless expression of empowerment and authenticity.

Track 01: Pages

‘Pages’ speaks to the lack of research and writing on women. Throughout history, the stories of women are ignored, forgotten and misconstrued as one type of maternal and sexual being. I wanted to challenge the narrative of female leaders being relegated to the sidelines, demanding recognition for their creativity and intellect.

“Her pictures in the paper, everyone wants to have her. Posing with the daisies and looking kind of faceless,”

With this lyric, I expose the objectification of women in the public eye, emphasising the need to acknowledge their victories beyond mere appearances.

Track 02: Rough feat. Stevie Jean

‘Rough’ confronts ideals of women being desired as pure creatures, daring to reclaim sexuality with an edgy defiance. Stevie Jean and I went to Bigsound together in 2022 and stayed in an Airbnb, writing and producing songs the nights. ‘Rough’ was born from being inspired by artists at Bigsound; our collaboration on this song was one of the best parts of the trip. The song celebrates queerness and curiosity while asserting power and autonomy. It is a bold assertion of the inherent masculinity within femininity, challenging stereotypes and embracing our authenticity.

Track 03: Say It Like You Mean It

‘Say It Like You Mean It’ explores the painful realm of infidelity, advising honesty and accountability within relationships. This song allowed me to reclaim my independence and self-worth. Writing this song allowed me to realise that the truth can sting and people avoid telling it. Sometimes, we say things we don’t mean and stay in relationships we don’t want because it’s easier. As time catches up, actions flood empty words and the truth emerges. ‘Say It Like You Mean It’ is my anthem for being honest before it’s too late. In the EP it represents honesty, trust and infidelity within a relationship.

Track 04: One More Time

‘One More Time’ encompasses the sensitivities and innocence inherent in women. Vulnerability is beautiful in its nature, but it can also be our Achilles heel. The soulful ballad captures the beauty of fragility in womanhood and shadows insecurity. I wrote one more time in 2022; this was the first song I finished for the EP. The song feels so distant to me now; it’s amazing how feelings can cease to exist through time. It’s also nice to see how open I was to being vulnerable and not shying from a fear of showing that I cared.

Track 05: Shed Light

‘Shed Light’ encompasses the intrinsic nature of spirituality within femininity. The term gossip once defined women as sharing wisdom and chatter amongst one another. Still, it later had a negative connotation, defining gossip as a feminine word for secrecy and cattiness. The song celebrates emotional maturity and wisdom, embracing introspection and self-awareness as the key to personal growth. It highlights the feminine role of looking inward for profound understanding and enlightenment. I travelled to the Cook Islands in 2021 to give young students on the island workshops in music composition. I spent a lot of time recording my trip, and the voice memo I used in this song was from a local islander telling us about his veggie garden and his grandchildren. He had this presence and wisdom about him that felt so safe, and it felt perfect to use in this song.

Track 06: Albert St.

‘Albert St.’ concludes the EP with revelry, celebrating the joy of friendship and shared experiences. With infectious energy, the song pays tribute to the cherished moments spent with platonic love, emphasising the power of choice in cultivating meaningful connections. Through its vibrant melodies and uplifting lyrics, “Albert St.” encapsulates the essence of sisterhood, camaraderie and community. When I come to Melbourne, I stay with my friends at Albert St. They have provided me with shelter, food and a sisterhood. The place itself has many great memories and is the perfect timestamp for this era in our lives.

Through this EP, I invite my listeners on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, shedding light on the diverse experiences and expressions of femininity.