Yasmin Hass announces Ross MacDonald-produced debut EP, Worst of Me

“Cleo”, a meditation on love, freedom and young womanhood, is the first song released via the soon-to-be-announced label Cool Online, produced by the new production duo of The 1975 member Ross MacDonald, and Ed Thomas (Jorja Smith, Stormzy, Maisie Peters). Hass' Worst of Me EP will be the first of three releases they do for the label.

“Cleo” is an unflinching meditation on womanhood in her mid-20s. The titular Cleo refers to one of Hass’ best friends and her decision to start a new life abroad. "This song is about being utterly in love, whilst also wondering, how much freedom do I have left? It touches on the thrill of the unknown and the sudden urge to break away from what feels comfortable and safe," Hass explains.

Yasmin Hass was born in Melbourne and raised in London by her Jamaican father and opera singing German mother. On her father’s side, She was early on steeped in soul and reggae (her aunt is an acclaimed soul singer and her uncle was Bob Marley’s tour manager). Beyond nationalities, Hass also holds Arawak Indian and Sephardic ancestry.

On the cusp of her first release, she reveals that her biggest inspirations remain the women in her life: “My mum, my sister, my grandmother, my aunt” she says. “Their sense of self in the work they do… I am a product of many different cultures and backgrounds, led by women who let creativity lead them, and who have inspired me to do the same."

Despite the negative connotations of the EP title, Hass quickly rejects the idea that baring one’s rougher parts makes for negative art. “There’s actually a freedom to admitting that there are parts of me I’m nervous to share,” she explains. “I want to draw on those and write about them more. I think there’s a strength in that – in the imperfections. They’re what I find most interesting.’’