"Nested" sees Jossle explore the feelings that linger at the end of a relationship

From taking notice of the floral patterns embroidered in a lover’s dress to matching the colour in their cheeks to a bottle of red wine, life is perhaps best enjoyed when we really sink into these mundane moments that too soon become a memory. This is exactly the sentiment Jossle captures in his latest single ‘Nested’ - a mellow indie-rock track told in two parts: the first at the beginning of a breakup and the next after months have passed by.

Jossle is the pseudonym for Cork-born Joshua O’Leary. Akin to other popular independent artists like Benny Sings and Arlo Parks, the Irish producer fuses chill R&B with a confessional alternative-pop style for a truly unique sound. "Nested" is the second single released ahead of his upcoming extended play coming out on 26 July.

Also serving as the title track, "Nested" acknowledges the different feelings that manifest the longer that we think about the inevitable end of a relationship. In the song, Jossle sings about the initial feelings he felt after his breakup - the first being a very palpable sadness. As time passed, however, acceptance followed. While the melancholy lingered, the beauty of those shared memories also remained.

With an understated drum track and driving finger-picking patterns, Jossle relays both the vulnerability and unexpected tenderness expressed at the end of this meaningful relationship. But even in the midst of this end, Jossle focuses his gaze on a specific happy memory that brings him a sense of peace, a picnic in Galway he shared with his former lover. By bringing his focus to this idyllic moment, Jossle is able to bring attention to the greater pains that accompany a loss.

“Nested’s title refers to having a certain idea or stubbornness of how events happened or should have happened in a relationship firmly rooted in my mind,” Jossle said.

A melancholic interlude gives way to the second half of "Nested" where Jossle is able to give grace to the person who hurt him, as well as to himself. The same things he once staunchly admired about his partner begin to take on a different form in this new light. The lyrics reflect that idea and remain personal throughout, shining out atop Jossle’s silky smooth acoustic melodies.

While Jossle has only released a handful of singles thus far, he’s already making waves in the industry by collaborating with fellow up-and-coming acts like NewDad and BabyQueen. Becoming known for his refreshing authenticity, the London-based artist’s nostalgia for traditional Irish music roots his music in truth and is also what inspires his DIY sound. Another enforcer of that honesty in his lyricism is Jossle’s special love for albums like Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago and alt-J’s An Awesome Wave. Stuck on a boat for two weeks at the age of 15 without a signal, these were the only two albums he could play. Slowly, he grew to love these understated sounds and applied them later to his own music.

Prior to being Jossle, O’Leary was in an indie band called Rodney. The pandemic split the group apart, and it wasn’t long before he decided to try his hand at a solo career. Soon enough, O’Leary began putting stuff out under the name Jossle and his first release "Garden Couch" came out in 2021. Now two years down the line, Jossle’s first EP Nested will be out on 26 July. Until then, we’ll have the title track on repeat, reminding us to be thankful for the people who shared their time with us, even for a short while.