After three years away from music, artist Zipowei has returned with her debut EP, Echoes of Zi, a deeply personal project reflecting growth, healing, and self-discovery. Her last release, Freefalling, came in 2022, but what followed was a period of introspection. “Sometimes silence isn’t absence; it’s preparation,” Zipowei explains, describing her hiatus as a time of questioning, healing, and reconnecting with music on her own terms.
A deeply personal journey
Echoes of Zi is more than a debut EP—it’s Zipowei’s reintroduction. Its title reflects the reverberations of conversations she had with herself during her time away. “Each track is an echo of a different version of me: the vulnerable one, the playful one, the exhausted one, the spiritual one, the one falling in love,” she says. The EP demonstrates her commitment to authenticity, showing that stepping away from the public eye can foster deeper creativity.
Intimate creation process
Unlike traditional studio productions, Zipowei recorded the EP in small, personal spaces with minimal teams, embracing raw and spontaneous moments. “We pressed record and trusted instincts,” she explains. The intimacy of the recordings is evident in every track—the breath between words, unpolished edges, and organic choices capture genuine emotion. “Sometimes the best art comes from pressing record and getting out of your own way,” she adds.
The tracks: a sonic journey
RAW – The Unguarded Beginning The opening track
RAW was unplanned. Zipowei pressed record and spoke her mind, resulting in a stripped-down, deeply personal song. It sets the tone for the EP, introducing vulnerability and honesty as central themes.
PARTY BOY – Playful Complexity
Party Boy captures flirtatious energy while exploring curiosity, attraction, and the tension between confidence and vulnerability. “It’s about being seen, really seen, in a room full of noise,” Zipowei notes.
STUCK ON YOU – The Honeymoon Feeling
This track embodies the intensity of falling in love, translating butterflies and infatuation into dreamy, intoxicating sound.
BURNT OUT – The Breaking Point
Burnt Out reflects exhaustion, fear of asking for help, and the moment of surrender. Zipowei describes it as both a confession and a moment of grace, turning vulnerability into strength.
SUNDAY MORNING BLUES – Redefining Spirituality
Inspired by her unconventional Sunday mornings, this track captures Zipowei’s personal approach to spirituality. Instead of traditional church routines, she found peace through self-care and quiet reflection, creating music that blends freedom, stillness, and personal connection with God.
An intimate listening experience
On October 31, Zipowei hosted
The Echo Room, an intimate listening party for 25-30 guests who sat in a circle on cushions while experiencing the EP from start to finish. Observing listeners’ reactions—from smiles during
Party Boy to tears during
Burnt Out—Zipowei felt the EP come alive. The evening ended with food and dancing, celebrating music as a shared, authentic experience.
Musical style and future vision
Musically,
Echoes of Zi blends alternative R&B, Afro-soul, and introspective pop, incorporating Nigerian rhythms alongside contemporary R&B sensibilities. Zipowei aims to contribute to the ongoing definition of alternative R&B while staying true to her unique voice.
Beyond the music, the EP is a statement about prioritizing mental health over productivity, returning on one’s own terms, and embracing imperfection. Zipowei’s focus is on creating music that connects, heals, and lasts. Plans for live performances, visual projects, and collaborations are in the works, but authenticity remains paramount.
A foundation for what’s next
Reflecting on her hiatus, Zipowei notes: “
Echoes of Zi is my truth right now: imperfect, vulnerable, honest. The echoes are just beginning.” For listeners, the EP offers permission to be human, to love recklessly, and to explore life beyond expectations. Zipowei is not chasing virality or charts; she is creating music that endures, leaving behind echoes that will resonate long after the first listen.
