Singles Spotlight:
Bizou –
“Death Mag”

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I’m excited to discuss another fantastic Los Angeles-based group, Bizou. They were formed in 2017 and are new to me. Happy to be here, though, as I love what I’ve heard. And I know you will too. According to their bio in the press release for their upcoming EP, Widow, which is out Friday, September 25th, via LA-based Moonboot Records, “Bizou brings together Josiah Mazzaschi (Light FM, Child Seat), Nicole Fiorentino (Smashing Pumpkins, Veruca Salt, Garbage), Marisa Prietto (Wax Idols, Glaare, Some Ember), and Nicki Nevlin (Light FM). The band led by Pleans on chemistry over pedigree — folding post-punk urgency into synthwave, industrial, trip-hop, and experimental pop, and translating it into wall-of-sound live sets that have built them a devoted cult following.”

The release continues, shedding more light on the band members and what projects they’ve been up to in recent years noting, “Following the release of their critically acclaimed Tragic Lover in 2021, the members dispersed into various creative pursuits: Mazzaschi formed the kinetic indie/new-wave project Child Seat with singer Madeleine Matthews; Prietto co-wrote an LP with longtime collaborator Dylan Travis of Some Ember; and Fiorentino joined Garbage for a series of multinational tours. In summer 2025, Mazzaschi and Prietto reconvened at Cave Studio to begin writing and recording what would become Widow.” If you missed Tragic Lover the first time when it first came out as I did, make sure to listen to this great album after you finish today’s Spotlight. Bizou’s discography also includes their self-titled debut EP, Bizou (2019), and their second EP, Stilllifeburning (2020).

Exploring their latest EP credits as SWT gives credit where it’s due, and you will find the following: Marisa Prietto (lead vocals, synth, bass, guitar), Josiah Mazzaschi (guitar, synth, programming, backing vocals), Nicole Fiorentino (bass, backing vocals), and Nicki Nevlin (guitar). I was introduced to this group recently, and I’m so grateful. They’ve put out some great music, perhaps a bit too underappreciated. Don’t continue that trend.

While there are some damn good songs on their Widow EP, including a bitchin’ cover of the Wire song “Ahead”, my favorite song is “Death Mag.” I have yet to not like a band that has a love and appreciation for Wire. Especially in the legendary UK bands’ early years. What an awesome group of musicians who continue to inspire today.

What does “Death Mag” have going for it? A beautifully synth-heavy melody that marches forward in a lovely way that is paired with a bass line that won’t quit. The melody will put listeners in an 80s state of mind in the best way. Truly. Prietto’s vocals are also fantastic and stand out throughout the song, as do the driving drumbeats. Great call on crafting all of the above, and also adding Mazzaschi’s and Fiorentino’s backing vocals. They add a lot to the song and their choruses are earworms. And the lyrics, well, they examine many facets of time and how we make others feel. All that said, I think “Death Mag” is well worth including in our Singles Spotlight series and serves as a nice introduction to the band Bizou.

Check it out for yourself by pressing play:

Take a look at the cover art for the Widow EP:

The track list for the Widow EP:

1. Deep REM [2:54]
2. Widow [3:40]
3. No One Can Have You [4:10]
4. Death Mag [4:20]
5. Ahead (Wire Cover) [4:24]
6. Losing My Memory [4:11]

Alex M Theel

Co-Founder, Reviewer, Content Creator, Business side, Editor at Scummy Water Tower Productions | Web

Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site, scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions and SWT Interviews. And all of our socials.
Questions, feedback, or more? Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com