Tobias Jesso Jr.

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Lore & Background

Jesso's journey began with a painful break-up and his mother's cancer diagnosis in August 2013, prompting the release of his first demo. He sent this demo via email to Chet JR White, former bassist for Girls, sparking a collaboration that would define his debut album. The record was produced by an impressive lineup including White, Patrick Carney of The Black Keys, John Collins of The New Pornographers, and Ariel Rechtshaid. Drumming duties were handled primarily by Aaron Sperske, with the notable exception of Danielle Haim on "Without You." His track "How Could You Babe" gained significant traction after being tweeted about by Adele. Beyond his solo work, Jesso co-wrote "Alive" alongside Adele and Sia; the song was originally intended for Adele but ended up recorded by Sia for her album This Is Acting.

In Their Own Story

The announcement of his next chapter arrived on November 13, 2025, when Jesso revealed his first studio album in ten years would be titled Shine. The release was scheduled for the following Friday, November 21, accompanied by a music video for the single "I Love You" featuring Dakota Johnson and Riley Keough. In the accompanying press release, Jesso described the record as deeply personal, covering topics of himself, his mother, his son, a breakup, and his life at that specific moment in time. This new era followed his 2019 marriage to Australian musician Emma Louise, with whom he had one child before their divorce in 2022.

Reader's Guide

Musically, Jesso draws comparisons to 1960s and 1970s singer-songwriters like Randy Newman, Harry Nilsson, and Emitt Rhodes, citing Newman as a favorite. Although he spent years playing bass and guitar, he started writing on the piano at age 27, an instrument that became central to his sound. His recognition in the industry includes being nominated for Songwriter of the Year at the 2016 Juno Awards and winning the SOCAN Breakout Award on June 20, 2016. Most notably, he became the first recipient of the Songwriter of the Year award at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, honored for his work across releases by Harry Styles, Adele, FKA Twigs, Orville Peck, King Princess, Diplo, and Omar Apollo.

Did You Know?

• Jesso started playing the piano at age 27 while working for a moving company in North Vancouver.
• He co-wrote "When We Were Young" and "Sweetest Devotion" for Adele's album 25.
• The song "Alive," co-written by Adele, Sia, and Tobias Jesso Jr., was originally intended for Adele before being recorded by Sia.
• Danielle Haim played drums on the track "Without You" instead of the album's primary drummer, Aaron Sperske.

Early Life and Musical Evolution

Born Tobias MacDonald Jesso Jr. in North Vancouver, British Columbia, on July 11, 1985, the musician spent four years living in Los Angeles where he performed as a bassist before returning to his hometown. His transition into songwriting occurred while working for a moving company, during which he began playing the piano in his spare time despite having no formal training until age twenty-seven. This period of personal reflection following a difficult breakup and his mother's cancer diagnosis led to the creation of his first demo in August 2013. The resulting track, "Just a Dream," marked a pivotal shift from his previous work as a guitarist and bassist to becoming a piano-driven songwriter. He eventually connected with Chet JR White via email, sending over demos that would set the stage for his professional recording career.

Debut Album Goon and Collaborations

Jesso's debut studio album, *Goon*, was released in 2015 under True Panther Sounds following a production effort involving notable figures like Patrick Carney of The Black Keys and Ariel Rechtshaid. The record featured drumming by Aaron Sperske on most tracks, with Danielle Haim contributing to the song "Without You." The album gained significant traction after Adele and Alana Haim shared his track "How Could You Babe" on social media. Beyond his solo work, Jesso established himself as a sought-after collaborator during this era, co-writing Adele's hits "When We Were Young" and "Lay Me Down," the latter appearing on her *25* album's Target edition. He also contributed to Sia's track "Alive," which was originally intended for Adele or Rihanna before being recorded by Sia for her compilation album *This Is Acting*. These efforts propelled him onto Rolling Stone's list of the 20 Biggest Breakouts of 2015.

Critical Acclaim and Industry Recognition

Throughout his career, Jesso has received substantial recognition from major music organizations for both his solo artistry and songwriting prowess. His debut album *Goon* was shortlisted for the prestigious Polaris Prize in 2015, while he earned a Juno Award nomination for Songwriter of the Year in 2016. That same year, he received the SOCAN Breakout Award in Toronto, highlighting his rapid rise within the Canadian music industry. His most significant accolade came at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in 2023, where he became the first-ever recipient of the Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical award. This historic win acknowledged his extensive catalog of work for global superstars including Harry Styles, Adele, FKA Twigs, Orville Peck, King Princess, Diplo, and Omar Apollo, cementing his status as a leading force in contemporary songwriting.

Artistic Style and Personal Milestones

Musically, Jesso draws heavy inspiration from the singer-songwriters of the 1960s and 1970s, with critics frequently comparing his sound to legends like Randy Newman, Harry Nilsson, and Emitt Rhodes. Despite years of experience on strings instruments, he deliberately crafted his signature style using the piano, an instrument he only began mastering in his late twenties. His personal life has also influenced his artistic output; he married Australian musician Emma Louise in January 2019, and they welcomed a child together before divorcing in 2022. After a decade-long hiatus from solo studio albums, Jesso announced *Shine* on November 13, 2025, with the record set for release the following Friday. The album explores themes of family, heartbreak, and his current life stage, accompanied by the single "I Love You" and a music video featuring Dakota Johnson and Riley Keough.