I was beginning to feel like something was amiss this Halloween. But then, just a couple of days ago, something popped up in my inbox, a name that carved a pumpkin smile on my face from ear to ear: the one and only Jesse Jo Stark.
If you’re even passingly familiar with this awesome and uniquely dark diva, you’d figured out that Halloween was truly her favorite season, and thankfully she couldn’t let it pass up without a haunting new release, this time in the fine spooky company of an electro/synth vibe that differs a bit from her usual rock sound without fully departing from it.
This campy and fun holiday just wouldn’t feel complete without adding Stark to our playlist, and while today’s Samhain’s offering isn’t as “Kitsch macabre” as most of her previous work, it does scratch that itch and then some, particularly as it somewhat surprisingly expands upon the sonic repertoire that we’ve known her for with a pleasant new dimension, reminding us of her huge talent and versatility, particularly in the way her vocals play out on this one, which feel quite distinct.
For Jesse Jo Stark, 2024 has been blessed, it found her opening for Post Malone in Las Vegas while wearing a vintage Bob Mackie little number. Following this, she hit the road in April with The Veronicas for their U.S. tour, riding the wave of success from her sold-out international tour promoting her debut album, DOOMED. Though she’s been keeping busy touring and playing the role of creative director of Chrome Hearts, she’s also taken time to hit the studio to grace us with 3 singles, the critically-acclaimed “Skeleton” and “Billie Don’t Be So mad”, both of which notably join today’s release as allowing her and us to explore a whole new facet of JJJ the artist, each time.
Featuring a rich, nostalgic synth sound, Jesse points her darkly rock edge into the more goth-oriented aspects of her sound, capturing goth club energy with a flirty pop flourish that suits her sultry, Elvira-esque vibe to absolute perfection. The music video on the other hand, is nothing but pure Los Angeles obsession, a bloody love letter to the hazy sunsets and broken Hollywood dreams. The music video features the beloved Skeleton Man, a fan-favorite character from her previous hit, “Fire of Love.”
In “i’m yours,” Jesse Jo Stark delivers a deliciously dark dive into the tangled web of desire and uncertainty. She perfectly captures that electrifying mix of confidence and vulnerability we all know too well. The playful yet haunting interplay between self-assuredness and longing feels like a seductive dance, pulling us into her world where love is both intoxicating and terrifying. Stark’s lyrics resonate with anyone who’s ever felt the thrill of borderline obsessive infatuation shadowed by the fear of rejection.
As October draws to a close, it’s clear that Jesse Jo Stark has once again delivered a treat that perfectly captures the season’s spirit, inviting us once again into a romantic fever dream where dark, sensual glamor meets mischief and nostalgia alike.
CONNECT WITH JESSE JO STARK
INSTAGRAM // WEBSITE // SPOTIFY
TAGS:
