Jess Ball is entering a new chapter with clarity, confidence and the kind of emotional honesty that makes her music hit deeper. After first making her mark as a sought-after topliner in the dance and electronica space, lending her voice to records with artists including EDX, Dash Berlin and Charlie Hedges, the Melbourne artist has steadily carved out a world that feels entirely her own. Now, with her latest single “Roundabouts,” Jess steps further into that space, bringing together alt-pop textures, raw vulnerability and a voice that feels as expressive as the story it is telling.
Influenced by the dreamlike atmosphere of Cigarettes After Sex, the lyrical openness of Olivia Dean and the moody depth of Massive Attack, Jess creates songs that sit in that delicate space between introspection and release. Her solo work has become a vehicle for processing emotion in real time — regret, healing, anger, self-reflection and ultimately growth. There is no over-polishing in her storytelling, no attempt to disguise the messier parts of love and loss. Instead, what emerges is something intimate, cathartic and strikingly human.
That is exactly what makes “Roundabouts” feel so resonant. Built around the emotional exhaustion of a relationship stuck in unhealthy cycles, the track captures the moment when love gives way to repetition, and when staying begins to feel more draining than letting go. But rather than simply dwelling in heartbreak, Jess approaches the song as a reflection of growth and an acknowledgement of the patterns she has outgrown and the strength it takes to walk away from them.
In our conversation, Jess opens up about the contrast between who she is on and off stage, the journey from toplining to fully owning her voice as a solo artist, and why songwriting remains such an essential emotional outlet. She also reflects on the personal experiences that shaped “Roundabouts,” the artists who inspire her, and the sense of empowerment that runs through both her music and her identity as an artist.
For readers who are just discovering you, how would you describe who Jess Ball is, both as an artist and as a person?
I’ve been told I’m an introverted extrovert. I can be really reserved and a bit awkward, and then on that very same night, I’ll be completely carefree, performing in front of a room full of people. I think my music mirrors that contrast. Especially with my newer work, I’m leaning into different sounds and allowing myself to be much more open emotionally. It’s less about holding back and more about being honest, even when that feels a little uncomfortable.
Music seems to come from a very honest and emotional place for you. When did you first realise this was something you wanted to pursue seriously?
A couple of years after finishing high school, I felt pretty lost. I’d been travelling and modelling, but I knew it wasn’t something I could do long-term, and I started craving a bit more direction. Songwriting had always been an outlet for me, but I didn’t think of it as a real career until I started doing top-lines with 1 and 2 Productions. It just clicked. For the first time, it felt like I could channel everything I was feeling into something meaningful, and that’s when I started to see a future in it.
You’ve been performing since childhood. What are some of your earliest memories of music, and what first sparked that passion in you?
I wouldn’t say my family is overly musical, but there was always music playing in the house when I was growing up. Some of my favourite memories are sleepovers with my best friend, waking up to pancakes and Jack Johnson playing, with everyone singing along like it was second nature. When I was around 11, I had my first solo at a school assembly — I even surprised my mum, who was a teacher there. I remember the adrenaline and the rush of performing live, and I still get that same feeling at my shows today.
Was there a particular moment growing up when you felt that music could become more than just something you loved, but something you could build a life around?
When I started recording top-lines with 1 and 2 Productions in 2020, music as a career started to feel a lot more real. I already loved it, but getting genuine feedback from DJs and artists I’d grown up listening to was really reassuring — it made me feel like I might actually have a place in it. I remember being especially excited when a collaboration with Tez Cadey came together, because my friends and I had grown up listening to Seve. Moments like that made it all feel possible.
Your sound carries emotion, atmosphere and vulnerability in a really striking way. Who have been some of your biggest musical inspirations in shaping that identity?
I’ve always been drawn to music that really stirs something in you. I think everyone has a soundtrack to their life — certain songs hold specific memories, good or bad, and I love how music lets you sit with those emotions and actually process them. A lot of my inspiration comes from artists who aren’t afraid to be vulnerable in that way, such as Olivia Dean, Lily Allen and Cigarettes After Sex. That’s what I try to do with my own music — use songwriting as something cathartic, but also hopefully create a space where other people can feel understood and a little less alone.
The press release mentions influences like Cigarettes After Sex, Olivia Dean and Massive Attack. What is it about those artists that resonates with you most?
All of these artists resonate with me in different ways. Cigarettes After Sex are dreamy and ambient, perfect for processing emotions. Olivia Dean’s relatable, vulnerable songwriting inspires the honesty I aim for in my own work. And Massive Attack — I’ve been a fan forever — mix experimental sounds with moody, bass-driven atmospheres, which is exactly the kind of sonic world I love exploring myself.
Before stepping fully into your solo career, you built a strong name for yourself as a topliner in the dance and electronic world. How did that chapter shape you as a songwriter and performer?
Working as a topliner opened up so many opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise. I got to meet incredible people, travel, write with other musicians, and perform through these dance tracks. It really threw me in the deep end, pushed me out of my comfort zone, and gave me the confidence I needed to take singing seriously as a career.
Looking back, how important was your breakthrough moment with EDX’s I Found You (Neptune) in 2020, and how did that success change things for you?
It was huge for me. That moment made me realise music could be more than just something I loved doing in my spare time — people actually connected with it, and that gave me the confidence to pursue it seriously. It also opened doors to travel, collaborations, and relationships with musicians all over the world, and I’m so grateful for the opportunities it brought, even from the other side of the globe.
At what point did you feel ready to step out from collaborations and fully own your voice as a solo artist?
Around 2022, I started feeling the need to express myself more authentically. I loved doing the dance stuff, but I wanted more creative freedom to open up and really say what I wanted. That’s when I released my first solo album, Ripe. Working with 1 and 2 Productions, I had complete freedom — no restrictions or instructions — just writing and recording based entirely on how I felt and what I wanted to put out.
Your new single Roundabouts explores the emotional exhaustion of being stuck in unhealthy cycles. What made you want to tell this story now?
Roundabouts is about recognising unhealthy cycles and celebrating the growth that comes from leaving them behind. Having a healthier and more mature mindset now, it’s nice to hear the song in retrospect as a reflection of how far I’ve come.
When you write songs like Roundabouts, do you begin with the emotion, the lyrics, or the soundscape first?
It really depends on the day. I actually wrote Roundabouts at my parents’ house without my guitar, but I did have my old amp and microphone. I like starting with samples or instrumentals when I don’t have my usual setup, and that’s exactly how this track came together — I was singing random ideas over Peebs the Prophet’s Take a Moment, and the rest just unfolded from there.
Your music often touches on regret, anger, healing and moving on. Why is it important for you to be so open and unfiltered in your songwriting?
I don’t usually write with the intention of anyone hearing my songs — they’re more of an outlet for me, and I kind of forget that they will probably end up being released along the way. The most honest and vulnerable ones can feel uncomfortable, but I’ve learned to separate myself from them and let the songs have their own identity, rather than worrying that people will know they come from my personal experiences.
Has making music helped you better understand yourself emotionally?
Absolutely. Seeing my thoughts on paper helps me work through issues and sometimes realise how overblown or illogical they might be. Writing and singing things out lets me separate real problems from stress or fleeting thoughts, which has been really clarifying.
Every artist faces setbacks while building their path. What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome in your journey so far?
The music industry can be tough to navigate — it feels like you’re either extremely successful or not seeing much at all, with very little in between. Sometimes it’s hard not to feel behind when friends are studying or in steady jobs, because music doesn’t offer that same 9-to-5 stability. The unpredictability can be scary, but I’ve learned to trust the process and keep going.
Was there ever a period where you doubted yourself, and if so, what helped you keep going?
I’ve definitely had moments of self-doubt, but I’m so lucky to have amazing friends and family who encouraged me to keep going. Their support has been really motivating. Even during confusing or uncertain times, I’ve never stopped singing or writing — music has always been something I genuinely love, and as long as that’s the case, it’s worth pursuing.
In an industry that can be demanding and constantly shifting, how do you stay grounded and protect your sense of self?
I try to stay aware of when something feels unnatural or forced and trust myself to step back. I’m always open to experimenting, but I also know when something isn’t working for me and there’s nothing wrong with admitting that. Being open and honest has really helped me stay grounded.
You make music that feels both intimate and empowering. What do you hope listeners take away from your songs, especially when they are going through difficult moments in their own lives?
I hope my music helps people feel seen and supported, giving them a space to process their emotions and know they’re not alone.
Empowerment feels like a key part of your story. What does empowerment mean to you personally?
To me, empowerment is backing yourself as you are and not bending to meet society’s standards. Not everyone will accept it, and that’s fine — the world would be pretty boring if we were all doing the same thing. It’s about having the confidence to be and do your own thing.
Beyond the music, what kind of woman and creative do you hope people see when they listen to Jess Ball?
I hope people see me as someone who doesn’t take herself too seriously, and someone who understands and can relate to whatever they’re feeling. I want to be open and honest, showing that they’re not alone and encouraging them to embrace their quirks and be themselves.
Fashion is often such an extension of an artist’s identity. How would you describe your personal style?
I wouldn’t say I have one set style. I like a lot of different things. One day I’ll be in baggy jeans and an oversized tee, the next in a mini skirt and tank top. I usually just grab whatever catches my eye and go with it.
Do you have a go-to fashion house or designer that you always feel drawn to?
I love anything Versace, though I can’t say I own much of it.
Are there any particular looks, eras, or style references that inspire the visual world around your music?
I’d say the ’90s and ’00s really inspire me. I love that era, and even the artwork for Roundabouts by Frank van Rooijen has that Massive Attack vibe I’m obsessed with.
When you are creating a new era, how important is fashion in helping you express that chapter of your story?
Fashion is important in making everything feel cohesive, and I think naturally your style reflects the type of person you are at any given time in your life. It helps tell a story and makes experimenting with new sounds feel seamless. My fashion has definitely changed over the years — phew — and so have I as a person.
As your profile continues to grow internationally, what feels most exciting to you about this next phase of your career?
The most exciting part is not knowing exactly what’s next. There’s no set path, and I get to follow my love for music and see where it takes me.
Finally, when people listen to Roundabouts and discover your world, what do you hope they understand about Jess Ball?
That I’m an open book, and a shoulder to lean on.
