Cebuana singer-songwriter Jolianne releases her debut EP, Plain Girl, via Sony Music Entertainment and Careless Music.
Written between the ages of 16 and 20, the coming-of-age record captures the transformative period of a young woman navigating the complexities of teenage life, embracing both the charm and chaos of self-discovery. It also explores the trials, triumphs, and messiness of stepping into adulthood while confronting the uncertainties of love, identity, and independence.
Drawing from her own experiences as she graduated from high school, moved to a new city, and began her journey as an artist, Plain Girl serves as a celebration of self-discovery. The EP blends R&B-infused pop with a sense of whimsical nostalgia, revealing the beauty of her formative years.
“My life flipped entirely,” admits the Halfway There act. “I awkwardly stumbled my way through first encounters with emotions and challenges I’d never faced before. Those years were as much about growing as a person as they were about developing as an artist. It was a time of trial and error, giving myself the permission to fail and figure things out along the way. Or, as the saying goes: “f*** around, find out.”
The album, which Jolianne describes as a “story of self-discovery,” finds her thrusted into a larger, more complicated world. She adds, “It’s about a girl who has lived in her own bubble, untouched by the complexities of life and love, suddenly finding herself on the brink of transformation. Through these songs, I wanted to capture the innocence and uncertainty of taking those first steps into a bigger, more complicated world—opening her heart to love, embracing vulnerability, and navigating emotions she’s never felt before. It’s a story of growth, self-discovery, and the beauty of experiencing the unknown, all through the eyes of someone who is just starting to find her place in it all.”
Plain Girl (EP) showcases Jolianne’s ability to seamlessly integrate pop sensibilities with a modern R&B vibe, while incorporating elements of Disney whimsy. The introspective project features an all-star roster of producers and collaborators, including JGreg for “Maybe I’m Yours” and “Afterthought,” RJ Pineda for the self-titled track and “I’ll Be Somebody You Want,” jonahbru as well for “Plain Girl” and De’La for “Let Me Down Easy,” and Isagani Palabyab for “Are You Happy Now (Take One).”
Despite the diversity in production, Jolianne and her team successfully maintained a cohesive artistic vision throughout the record. “Thankfully, they all made sure to put my artistic identity at the forefront, and because I had worked with them previously, they already had a strong understanding of my vision,” the rising Careless Music star shares. “Collaborating with such a diverse group of producers was refreshing. Each brought their unique takes to the table, and it was so inspiring to dive into their creative worlds, pick their brains, and witness their process in real time.”
The lead single, “Let Me Down Easy” is a soulful piano-driven ballad that highlights Jolianne’s remarkable vocal prowess. Inspired by the emotional complexity of an unfulfilled relationship, the song essays the feeling of witnessing a relationship fade while grappling with the uncertainty of where things stand.
Jolianne reveals, “At its core, it’s a plea for closure and kindness: If you’re gon’ let me down, then let me down easy, asking for a gentle goodbye when love feels like it’s coming to an end. This, I wrote about a boy I never even dated. Even ‘situationship’ is too big a word for what we had. It was simply a ‘situation,’ but I’m a girl with big feelings, so I got a song out of it anyway.”
Jolianne’s debut EP, Plain Girl is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. The live performance video of “Let Me Down Easy” drops at 8 pm on Jolianne’s official YouTube channel.
