Jasmine Jethwa sings through uncertainty in "Golden"

There’s a subdued virtuosity in the songs of Jasmine Jethwa. Just like Taylor Swift on the much-lauded album folklore, Jethwa doesn’t try to bowl you over with her brilliance; her singing and songwriting are subtle and haunting.

Jethwa’s newest single "Golden" would have been well-received in the heyday of Joni Mitchell. The song chronicles the tentative first steps in a relationship, and the video is (appropriately) bathed in soft golden lighting.

“"Golden" is about the early stages of infatuation – the push and pull in a relationship,” says Jethwa. “It’s about the constant unease felt when learning about each other, connected then detached, feeling close to someone and then apart – and how that is part of the enchantment. The song has a continuous feeling of instability and uncertainty, mirrored in the open choruses and more personal verses. I think compared to my usual writing, ‘Golden’ feels younger and more hopeful, perhaps even naïve, but I like the purity of feeling, before things are jaded with knowing someone more and love getting heavier.”

Jethwa was born and raised in South London, and her first love was dance, before becoming smitten by songwriting and being influenced by American folk-flavoured artists like John Denver and Bon Iver. Her influence pulls from Western and Indian culture too, influenced by her heritage to have a natural ability for harmonies and melody.

In 2020, Jethwa self-released her debut EP Hurricane, which garnered a lot of attention. The intricate harmonies and storylines on that record are as dazzling as the best work of Suzanne Vega and Tori Amos. Within the project, the plaintive "Turn Off The TV" and the harmony-laden "Running Circles" offered ample proof that Jethwa is a standout both as a singer and songwriter.