September 14th, 2018 — (Hollywood, CA) — Rising singer and songwriter Jess Kentreleases a new single — “Girl” — today via Capitol Records and all digital partners. Download/stream it HERE and watch the lyric video, which premieres today on Vevo HERE.
Kent co-wrote “Girl” — a spirited commentary on the expectations society places on women — with Justin Tranter (Gwen Stefani, Selena Gomez, Years & Years) with whom she has been in the studio working on her debut album. The track was produced by CJ Baran (Panic! At the Disco, Carly Rae Jepsen) and Phil Phever (Calum Scott, Maroon 5).
“I wrote “Girl” when I was feeling the pressure from society to ‘fit in’ and give in to a certain stereotype to be the girl people expect me to be,” says Kent. I have days when I feel like a tomboy, days when I don’t want to wear makeup and days when I want to dress up and feel my femininity. More than anything, I don’t want to wait for permission to have my own voice and use my music to say how I feel. I want to feel empowered to make my own choices about how I go through this world and I encourage all girls to do the same.”
“Girl” follows on the heels of Kent’s recent singles, “Bass Bumps” and “No Love Songs,” which were the England-born, Australia-raised Kent’s first new songs since her 2016 debut EP, My Name is Jess Kent. The EP features her breakout hit, the reggae-infused alt-dance-pop track “Get Down,” which has racked up more than three million Spotify plays, as well as second single “The Sweet Spot.”
Kent is a self-taught songwriter with a natural skill for crafting boldly nuanced electronic pop music. Born in Derby, England, Kent was raised in Australia and got her start in music thanks largely to her dad, a blues-rock guitarist. She has played guitar since age seven, spent her childhood busking with her brother, and grew up with a love for bands like Blondie and the Clash. Now 24, Kent has mastered a potent rap influenced, melodic delivery that pairs her brash energy and rapid-fire flow with lyrics both defiant and vulnerable. She has toured with Coldplay, Troye Sivan, Daya, Nick Jonas and Years & Years.