– World Ain’t Ready, the debut album from British-born, New York-based singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer JESSIKA is out now via BMG. The album includes lead singles ‘F**k Our Fears‘ (feat. GASHI), which was added to MTV’s Spankin’ New list last month, and ‘Her‘, which has received airplay and acclaim from Billboard and BBC Radio London, among others.
On this complex, yet catchy body of work, she confronts mental health, OCD, lust and love straight-on against a lively soundtrack laced with pop and alternative, all punctuated by her powerhouse voice.
“I wrote this album documenting life in its truest form. Covering all sorts of subjects such as mental health, love, sex, temptation, and empowerment,” shares JESSIKA. “I wanted to write a record that people relate to. It’s an honest album that sometimes makes you dance, yet sometimes makes you cry.”
World Ain’t Ready, written by JESSIKA and co-produced with Kyle Kelso (Kygo, Aloe Blacc, Galantis), is a testament to the resilience, passion, and extraordinary circumstances that shaped her artistic vision. Notably, the album came to life while JESSIKA covertly inhabited the BMG Nashville office.
After signing a hard-won publishing deal in New York, JESSIKA found herself in Music City without enough money for a hotel and no close friend with a couch to crash on. Entrusted with a key card to write in the studio of the BMG Nashville office, she quickly realised that card granted 24-hour access. She spent the ensuing weeks secretly living in the studio and not only beginning, but completing what would become the album.
An email circulated and she had to give back the key card “no questions asked,“ but she wouldn’t just go quietly. Rather than simply returning the card and retreating, JESSIKA decided to make the most of the situation. She took the bold step of reaching out to Jon Loba, the President of BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, and requested a meeting. To her astonishment, he agreed.
Sharing her story, JESSIKA revealed to Loba that, until recently, she had been residing in the office and tirelessly working on her record. Amazed by her dedication and determination, Loba listened to the demos, and without hesitation, signed her on the spot.
With the songs written, she proceeded to record her debut between New York and the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London, and the resulting album, World Ain’t Ready, is available to stream/download now, with over half a million streams to date.
Listen to World Ain’t Ready here.
Watch ‘The Story of JESSIKA’ mini-documentary here.
