A STORY OF A TOXIC RELATIONSHIP GONE AWRY, BEING DUMPED, AND TURNING PAIN INTO EMPOWERMENT

Bronx-bred rising alternative R&B artist Jessa releases her cathartic single “I Can’t Stop Crying.” Detailing a toxic relationship that caused her to spiral into a bout of depression, eventually culminating in being dumped, it serves as the young songstress’ most vulnerable offering to date. 

She invites listeners along on her healing journey through her painfully honest lyricism, embodying the true spirit of modern R&B as she bares her soulful achings through her silky smooth vocals and sultry melodies. 

“Pour gasoline all on me that’s assault babe / then I burn and you say it’s my fault / lose my cool then you act like it’s strange but wait… – lyrics from Jessa’s “I Can’t Stop Crying”

The single opens with Jessa’s agonizing, real-time breakup emotions, and as the song progresses, listeners feel her pain evolve into strength as she gains a newfound perspective on the love gone wrong. 

The production by .Jxck and Invisible Will creates a sound familiar yet fresh, blending elements of soul chord progressions, bombastic low-end of hip-hop, and halftime percussion and foley of R&B that lay the perfect foundation as she reflects on the pain she’s endured to be able to share her truth with the world.

When speaking on the inspiration behind “I Can’t Stop Crying,” 

Jessa explained, “I began recording this song sitting in my exes’ home studio. It wasn’t even that deep at that moment, but looking back, it’s pretty telling that even when we were together we wrote sad music. People are ashamed to say they’ve been dumped, but being dumped was one of the best things that could have happened to me.”

What would you say is the most important aspect of your life right now?

I’m young, I’m untethered, I only have so many responsibilities. I’m trying to determine what my routines look like and take care of my body and just focus on figuring out who I want to be and what it takes to make that happen. 

In your opinion, what makes “I Can’t Stop Crying” special?

It’s a really full-circle moment of a song for me. I started writing it in my ex’s living room with his at-home studio setup when we were still together, wrote the second verse a couple of months after he dumped me, then wrote the bridge a few months after that in a more healed mental state. It’s special because when you know that context you can look at it and see these different perspectives all in chronological order as I gained them.

What inspired “I Can’t Stop Crying”?

I was literally crying all the time.

What would you say is the core message of the song?

In the song I talk about being in a toxic relationship and having a level of awareness of how bad the situation is but opting into it and knowing that I’m not going to change it so, I think the takeaway is to take a step back and evaluate your circumstances. Life moves fast and it’s hard to have a clear perspective when you’re in the thick of it but no one is worth crying all the time.

How do you think tik tok and social media are currently contributing to changing artist’s careers?

I think tik tok is giving artists a way to connect more quickly and with a more random audience. I won’t be looking for new music but I’ll end up finding it on tik tok. Frankly, I should probably start using it strategically but all I do is shitpost and scroll my fyp missing Vine.

What excites you about life right now?

Being really busy. Covid made the world stop and it feels amazing to be making music and to be social and working a lot. I’m scatterbrained and it can be hard to keep up but I like it that way.

What are some of your core values as a human being?

On a personal level, I value kindness, honesty, loyalty, and fairness. On a broader level, I’m really passionate about racial equity and social justice.

Do you have any projects in the works this year?

I’m working on a bunch of singles I’m excited to release throughout the year!