JesseMelancholy Is the Soundtrack to Your Golden Hour: Inside “Silver Sky” and His Genre-Breaking Rise

At just 21, JesseMelancholy is crafting music that hits where words fall short. The Australian artist has quickly become one of the most intriguing new voices in alt-pop, fusing Y2K nostalgia with brutally honest storytelling and moody, experimental production. Following his breakout debut at WOMADelaide 2025 and a successful two-city headline tour, Jesse proves he’s not afraid to blur boundaries emotionally or sonically.

His latest single, “Silver Sky,” captures that dizzying space between curiosity and connection, blending shimmering synths with heartfelt lyrics that linger long after the last note fades. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to roll the windows down and remember what it feels like to fall for someone again. With a growing fanbase and a fearless approach to self-expression, JesseMelancholy is redefining what it means to sound vulnerable in 2025.

"Silver Sky" feels both nostalgic and fresh. What inspired that golden hour vibe?

Thank you. I really love evoking nostalgia and a sense of longing for something or someone. The yellow/orange color palette of the golden hour perfectly captures the essence of nostalgia, and all the movies I've been into recently have that look and vibe too.

You've been described as genre-bending. How do you define your sound, if at all?

I never know. To be honest, I think "alternative pop" describes my sound best, but I don't mind what genre people describe my music as, as long as they like it. I have a song on my upcoming project that leans into DNB/Electronic influence, but I also have songs that borrow from a more shoegazey alt-rock sound. Staying in one place is boring.

How did performing at WOMADelaide and headlining your first tour shape your confidence as an artist?

It showed me how much I enjoy performing, but also how nerve-racking it can be. Performing at WOMADelaide was especially different for me because I had never performed to such a diverse crowd before. It's comforting for me to know that I've overcome many hurdles and nerves when it comes to performing, and I'm excited to perform even more next year.

Your lyrics frequently explore identity and mental health. How do you balance honesty with self-protection when writing?

Over the years that I've been songwriting, I've gotten less and less scared about saying what I want to say. Good art never comes from avoiding vulnerability. While I've been somewhat moving away from the sound and themes of my last project - 'does the skin I wear define me', I'm so proud of that project because In the process of making it, I made so much growth as a person, exploring my own insecurities and identity. I know how much of myself I poured into it. 

If "Silver Sky" had a visual world with colors, imagery, and emotion, how would you describe it?

A bright sun-lit lookout with skyscrapers sitting over a wheat field.