JESSIA is one of the most underrated talents in the industry. Her phenomenal voice, catchy hooks, and clever lyrics have earned her way to my top favorite artists of 2024. The incredible singer wrapped up the year with a perfect single to kickstart her next chapter of music. “I’m Not Gonna Cry” is an empowering anthem about not letting herself lose her spark after a breakup. She wants her ex to know that she is moving on without them. She knows some days will be worse than others, but tonight, she won’t be crying. Her lyrics are clever and cheeky, with lines such as: “Don’t ask me how I’m doing// When I got your baggage under my eyes,” and “But unlike you, I learn from my mistakes.” She does not let her past control her and is doing her best to be happy again. She even references previous singles from this year, including “Different People,” when she sings “You wanna know who I’ve been screwing.” The parallels emphasize the singer’s intelligent songwriting and how each of her tracks can tell a cohesive story. JESSIA is an unforgettable talent and “I’m Not Gonna Cry” has only made me anticipate her upcoming releases – and hopefully a 2025 LP – even more.
JESSIA began the year with her devastating ballad, “Care About Me," followed by her sophomore EP, Okay With Every Part. This project was filled with the anger and heartache experienced after a breakup, making it symbolic that she ended the year with “I’m Not Gonna Cry.” The energetic pop anthem is a stark difference from her first single of 2024, giving her fans a unique insight into her new mindset. The track has an ethereal soundscape that transports the listener to another world. The instrumentation is very bright while the pace is balanced, crafting a perfect pop song. In the pre-chorus, the guitar effortlessly blends with the synth, accentuating the feeling of being in the clouds. Then, the full production is found in the chorus, showcasing the 80s influence with the keyboard while the fast-paced beat maintains the modern pop elements. As the song progresses, the production becomes more complex. The powerful outro contains passionate vocals and a melding of lyrics, reminiscent of Taylor Swift and GAYLE. JESSIA ends the bridge with one final display of passion before closing the song with the hook. Her stunning vocals and authentic storytelling make her one of my favorite musicians and she has landed on my list of artists I hope to see in concert. Unfortunately, I missed my chance to see her live this year. However, after devouring her entire discography throughout the month of November, I will never make the same mistake twice. The moment she announces another SoCal date, I will be the first in line. And I highly recommend you do the same if she stops in your hometown. You will not regret it.
JESSIA is an independent singer-songwriter from Vancouver. She made her debut in 2020 with her single, “Tell Me”. The following year she blew up with her viral single, “I’m not Pretty”, which garnered over a hundred thousand streams on Spotify alone. The success of this single caught the attention of Grammy-nominated artist, Bebe Rexha, who was then featured on the track’s remix. Furthermore, JESSIA's debut EP, How Are You?, was supported by iconic industry tastemakers such as iHeart, SiriusXM, and Billboard. The singer has also toured with OneRepublic, Maroon 5, and Dean Lewis. With only four years since her debut, JESSIA has earned over 375 million total global streams across all platforms, nearly 330K followers on Instagram, and over 1.5 million followers on TikTok. JESSIA shows no signs of slowing down so check out her social media for updates and new releases!
Written By Karlee Skipper
FOLLOW JESSIA: