YAZ Releases Her Debut EP Titled “Wish You Were Here”
With the release of her debut EP Wish You Were Here, YAZ steps boldly into the spotlight, bringing a vibrant and unapologetically feminine energy to the music scene. Known for her initial rise on TikTok, where her catchy hooks and relatable lyrics quickly resonated, YAZ’s journey from short-form videos to a full-length project has allowed her to refine and deepen her sound. The EP’s six tracks blend early 2000s R&B nostalgia with a playful bubblegum pop sound, setting the stage for a signature style that’s as magnetic as it is authentic.
Each track on Wish You Were Here invites listeners into YAZ’s world of empowerment and introspection, capturing themes of independence, confidence, and growth. From the title track's accompanying music video to lyrics that evoke a sense of self-assured solitude, the EP paints a picture of an artist who’s not only aware of her influences but committed to shaping her own identity. For young women especially, YAZ’s music offers both a reflection and an escape, celebrating the highs and lows of self-discovery.
Cake The Mag sat down with YAZ to discuss the release of Wish You Were Here, her journey from TikTok to the music industry, and how her nostalgic yet fresh sound is shaping her identity as an artist.
Cake The Mag: Congratulations on the release of Wish You Were Here! With your first EP now out in the world, how does it feel to finally share this body of work? Was there a particular message or emotion you wanted listeners to take away from it?
YAZ: I am so happy my first EP is out in the world for people to listen to. The tracklist feels like me in mp3 form. I want people to feel empowered by my music—it’s meant to encourage confidence, and most importantly, I hope people feel heard through the lyrics.
TikTok has become a powerful platform for artists. How did starting out on TikTok shape your music and your connection with fans?
I feel like TikTok is kind of like having your own little billboard, and you can paint or design it however you want. So for me, sharing my music on there was the most obvious thing—it felt like another outlet to express myself.
Your music has this blend of early 2000s R&B nostalgia and a fun, bubblegum pop sound. How did you land on this approach, and what were some of your biggest influences or inspirations when creating the tracks for Wish You Were Here?
I grew up with R&B playing 24/7 in my house—Mary J. Blige, Destiny’s Child, SWV, everyone. So, I feel that’s seeped its way into my music. I’m also super inspired by artists like Ariana Grande and Victoria Monét. Blending genres wasn’t so much an intentional move as it was just certain melodies, production choices, and instruments I naturally gravitate towards.
Your title track, "Wish You Were Here," comes with a new music video as well. Can you tell us about the concept behind the video? What inspired the multiple mattresses?
The concept behind the Wish You Were Here music video was brainstormed by the director, Sahra Zadat, and me. The song is about moving past a situation, personal growth, and independence, so we wanted the video to feel confident, playful, and empowering. The idea is that I’m alone in this house, and someone is trying to reach me, but they can’t—I’m content by myself.
For the cover, I knew I wanted to be on top of a stack of mattresses. The obvious reference would be The Princess and the Pea, and I loved that book growing up, so maybe I was intrinsically drawn to that idea. I wanted it to feel feminine, playful, and thought-provoking. Almost every idea for this EP came from my bed or bedroom, so having the cover reimagine that in a fun way felt right.
The EP has a distinctively feminine energy. How do you see your music resonating with listeners, especially young women who might relate to the emotions and experiences you sing about?
I hope my listeners resonate with the lyrics. I want my music to make people feel confident, happy, and light. If I can do that, I’ll be very happy. Every song on this EP is very personal and dear to me. I didn’t write with the intention to relate to people, but by being vulnerable and honest, I feel it connects with people more truthfully. I think most experiences are universal in one way or another, so people can interpret and relate to the lyrics in different ways.
Your first three singles each hit millions of streams. Looking back, how did those singles prepare you for this EP?
Releasing my first few singles taught me so much about the industry and really informed the way I wrote music and the kind of sound I wanted to create moving forward. I learned—and am still learning every day—how to find balance in music, what connects with people, and the importance of enjoying every moment without worrying too much about the future.
For the EP, was there a theme or storyline you followed, or did the songs come together more organically?
I wrote these songs when I felt exactly in tune with the energy of each track, if that makes sense. A lot of it was instinctual, a gut feeling of "I need to write this song because that’s how I’m feeling," rather than writing to a brief. I feel like the vocabulary across all the tracks is what really ties them together thematically.
This EP feels like a statement of who you are as an artist. How would you describe the “YAZ” sound and style in three words?
Playful, feminine, and glam/chic.
Every track has its own story. We can’t ask you to pick a favourite, so instead, tell us—what’s your current go-to track off the EP?
My favourite track on the EP today is "Favourite Boy"!
