Spotlight Release Review | NISSU TAKES US ON A POP-FUELLED TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE
Read Time:2 Minute, 24 Second
Ireland, Dublin
There’s something special about pop music when it taps into raw nostalgia. It’s that ability to transport you straight back to a specific time, a specific feeling, or even a single fleeting moment. Nissu’s debut EP Memories, released on 7th March 2025, does exactly that – and then some.
From the opening track U, it’s clear that this is an artist who understands the power of melody. A shimmering, synth-heavy bop with a soaring chorus, U is the kind of track you’d blast in the car with your best mate, singing at the top of your lungs. It’s euphoric yet bittersweet, capturing the essence of longing and youthful infatuation with an effortless charm.
Then comes Connection – arguably the emotional core of the record. Inspired by the bonds we forge in difficult times, the track is heartfelt and anthemic, blending glossy production with deeply personal lyrics. The song’s warmth is amplified by its music video, featuring nine LGBTQ+ influencers from the UK in a celebration of unity and resilience. If you need a song to remind you of the friendships that shaped you, this is it.
And then there’s Yourself, featuring the ever-dynamic Paigey Cakey. This one hits different – a self-love anthem with attitude. The contrast between Nissu’s melodic hooks and Paigey Cakey’s sharp, rhythmic flow makes for a standout moment on the EP. It’s empowering, it’s bold, and it’s got “add to playlist” written all over it.
Title track Memories slows things down, allowing Nissu’s vocals to truly shine. The stripped-back verses build into a chorus that swells with sentimentality, making it an instant tearjerker. You can hear the emotion in every note, and it’s impossible not to get caught up in the moment.
The second half of the EP continues to deliver. In My Heart pulses with sincerity, an open-hearted love song that feels like reading a diary entry set to music. And closing track Forever Mine (originally written over a decade ago) is a beautiful full-circle moment. A song that once stood for marriage equality in Brazil now finds a home on Memories, rounding off the EP with a sense of hope and continuity.
What makes Memories so compelling is its honesty. Every song feels like a page from Nissu’s story, wrapped in glossy pop production courtesy of Trey Vittetoe (who has worked with Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, and Selena Gomez). The EP blends bright, radio-ready hooks with deeply personal songwriting, creating something both intimate and universal.
Nissu has arrived, and Memories is just the beginning. If this is what he’s bringing to the table now, we can’t wait to see where he takes us next.
