Jesse Will has made his return with an impressive new single, ‘Hold My Skin’. The track in itself is a visceral experience, produced by Chris Bond, but the accompanying music video, choreographed by Sofia Pomeroy, translates these complex emotions into striking visuals. Speaking to themes of male vulnerability, emotional trauma, and the paradox of intimacy, we caught up with Jesse on all things ‘Hold My Skin’ and what the future holds…
‘Hold My Skin’ is your first release for multiple years. What inspired you to return now, and why was this song the right one to mark a comeback?
Of the upcoming singles, this one felt the most raw. It’s about as transparent as I’ve ever been in my lyrics and the concept of the video terrified me. After 10 years away, I felt it was necessary to wipe the slate clean and ‘Hold My Skin’ was the most dramatic way to do so. A table-setter so to speak. May as well pull the tablecloth right off…
Your vocal delivery on the track is raw and almost spoken at times. Can you talk more about the stylistic choice to write for and use your voice in this way?
I’m always pushing for authenticity in whatever I make, and the delivery was something I deliberated on throughout the process. Originally I wrote the melody with the opposite melodic contour, so it rose to a falsetto in the chorus – which was more commercial. But when I ‘sang’ too much, it fell too far on the romantic side. There’s this tension in the verses of a man grappling his inability to feel anything remotely meaningful, and the choruses act as these temporary reprieves from the pain – so it felt right to “sink into” the chorus. I’ll make less money from it, but at least it’s truthful!
Your last studio release was 2015’s Every Thread. How have you evolved as an artist in the decade since?
I used to view Pop as this genre that was off-limits to me and my sensibilities, but working with Chris and James (producers) demanded a level of commerciality and encouraged an open-mindedness which helped broaden my skill-set. After ‘Every Thread’ – in my mid-twenties – I felt I had nothing left to say, and coupled with some personal trauma I was forced to reassess how I want to communicate with my art. I met Sofia Pomeroy (choreographer) purely by chance, and incorporating choreography really sparked my imagination – crossing disciplines opens new expressive possibilities. I’ve spent the years taking piano, vocal lessons to continue learning, because I find I’m at my most creative when I’m exploring new techniques.
Are there different messages for listeners and watchers to take away from the track and the music video? How do you think it might speak to fans?
There’s an intensity and violence to the video that really only exists in the lyrics. This was something that manifested when Sofia and I put our heads together. I felt comfortable opening up with her, and we wanted to create a standalone piece that shines a different perspective on the meaning of the song. I hope it stimulates conversation – especially once the next video comes out.
Is the direction of ‘Hold My Skin’ something we can expect you to explore further? What’s next in 2025?
All hands are on deck for the next single, which is due in early May. Hoping to get a full-length release out by the end of the year, but taking it one step at a time for now.
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Photography: Alejandro Martinez-Campos