Track of the Day: Jemma Siles “Light Me Up” (2019)

Melbourne-based pop singer-songwriter Jemma Siles has today dropped “Light Me Up”, the follow-up to her debut single, “D.A.M.N.”, which was released last year and won her the Australian Songwriter of the Year Award (Pop/Dance) in 2018. 

Though this might be only the second single release from Siles, she has been steadily making a name for herself, both within the industry and through social media, amassing something of a cult following thanks to her videos of covers. Alongside that she’s also worked with one of the world’s top female DJ due acts, Nervo, featuring on their 2017 track “Like Air”. Whilst, even more recently she’s toured the country in support of LA artists Indiana Massara, Taylor Holder and Bad Zach; playing shows in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. 

New single, “Light Me Up”, sees Siles team up with producer Benjamin Oldland, for a compelling and catchy slice of glitchy dark pop. Inspired by the likes of Taylor Swift, Tove Lo and George Maple, “Light Me Up” has Siles playing around with moods and sounds, juxtaposing light and dark throughout the track. A title such as Light Me Up, would suggest a positive message, but Siles does enough across the near three minute run time to muddy that notion. Instrumentally it’s quite playful, with some quirky and unique sounds in the mix, but it’s Stile’s vocal that really grabs your attention. Well worth a listen! 

“Light Me Up” is available now. You can keep up to date with Jemma via her Instagram, her Facebook, or her Official Site.

Header Photo: Tom Noske

Simon Clark

Books Editor. An admirer of songs and reader of books. Simon has a PhD in English and Comparative Literature. All errant apostrophes are his own.