Love songs often begin with fantasy. Jessie Altman’s latest single, “Barcelona,” begins with something far rarer: a real memory. Inspired by the first date with the man who would eventually become her husband, the sweeping new single serves as the opening chapter of her forthcoming sophomore album, replacing fairytale expectations with something far more meaningful—love that arrives unexpectedly and transforms everything in its path.
Co-written and produced by acclaimed hitmaker Sam Hollander, whose songwriting credits include chart-topping hits for Panic! At The Disco, Fitz and the Tantrums, and Train, “Barcelona” introduces a richer, more confident era for Altman, one rooted in honesty rather than idealization.
We caught up with Jessie to discuss turning one of her most personal memories into music, writing alongside Sam Hollander, finding confidence beyond industry recognition, and why real love always surpasses the fantasy.
“Barcelona” is inspired by your first date with your now husband, making it one of your most personal songs to date. What was it like turning such a meaningful memory into music?
For me, making music from a meaningful memory or story is kind of the point. When something feels too honest or personal to share, I usually try to force myself to keep going. I’m also an open book, so that helps.
I had the idea long before I sat down to write it—that last first date. When I went in to write with Sam last August, he played me a track that immediately unlocked the story I wanted to tell.
The song explores the idea that real love can exceed the fantasy we grow up believing in. How has your understanding of love changed since writing your debut album?
It’s changed a lot! Aftermath was about finding yourself again after some profound loss or change. And a lot has happened since I wrote those songs.
This new chapter is about finding someone who matches you—who makes you bolder, brighter, and fearless in chasing after your dreams. The real thing is so much better and more surprising than the fairytale.
You collaborated with renowned songwriter and producer Sam Hollander on “Barcelona.” What did he bring to the creative process that helped elevate the story you wanted to tell?
I always get a little nervous writing with someone new. But those nerves went away almost immediately working with Sam. He creates such an easy environment to work in and holds space for the artist’s vision. And he is a genius when it comes to hooks and making a song come alive.
Your music often balances vulnerability with polished pop craftsmanship. How do you decide how much of yourself to reveal in a song?
I don’t really think about it. I just try to tell the story or feeling as honestly as I can.
After releasing Aftermath and then the Sleepwalking EP, what has evolved most in your songwriting as you enter this new chapter?
I am a much more confident writer. I still have a lot to learn, but the more I write, the more I want to write. It is such a powerful and beautiful way to tell a story.
SPIN recently named you one of its emerging artists to watch. Has that growing recognition changed your confidence as an artist, or simply reinforced what you already believed about your path?
Getting the recognition from SPIN magazine was awesome. It’s always nice when those things happen, but I don’t think confidence can come from recognition.
If you don’t have what you need to believe in yourself, other people believing in you won’t change that. My confidence comes from practicing my craft and trusting my instincts.
You’ve successfully built careers in both music and fashion. Do you see those two creative worlds as separate forms of expression, or are they part of the same artistic identity?
They’re part of the same identity for sure. One influences the other.
For me, fashion helps create the world the music lives in—the way an album feels before you’ve even heard it. It helps tell the story.
You’ll be touring this summer. What can fans expect from these upcoming shows?
I’m performing at Songbyrd in DC, Bitter End in New York, and Levitt Pavilion in Connecticut this summer, and hopefully heading to the West Coast this fall.
I’ll be back on stage with my full band—Mat Dauzat, Michael “Fish” Herring, Larry “Flex” Williams, Alex Burke, and Dylan Elise. I haven’t played with everyone since my Troubadour show in 2024, so it’s going to be so much fun having the whole group together again.
We’ll be playing songs from Aftermath, Sleepwalking, and some unreleased music from my upcoming album.
Your forthcoming album centers on transformative connection and unexpected love. What were the biggest emotional lessons you learned while writing it?
The entire album was inspired by the idea of saying goodbye to the person—or people—who don’t deserve you, and what it looks like finding the right person.
We’ve all had the experience of being with someone who isn’t worth it, so I wanted to create something that gives people hope to keep looking for their person. The kind of love that doesn’t shrink you down but opens you up. It’s about the moment you stop accepting less and realize the real thing was waiting on the other side.
Looking ahead to the release of your second album, what do you hope listeners discover about Jessie Altman that they haven’t heard before?
I want listeners to find their own story inside these songs and feel like they’re chatting with a best friend about their summer love.
With “Barcelona,” Jessie Altman isn’t chasing impossible romance—she’s celebrating the kind that actually lasts. It’s a subtle but meaningful shift, one that replaces fantasy with vulnerability, certainty with discovery, and idealized love with something far richer. As she steps into her sophomore era, Altman proves that the most compelling love stories aren’t the ones we imagine—they’re the ones we live.
