For Jamythyst, music is a way of building a world entirely of their own. After spending a decade working with other musicians, the arrival of the pandemic created an unexpected turning point. With more time to look inward and create independently, Jamythyst began writing and producing their own music, gradually developing an artistic identity rooted in electronic pop, nostalgic influences and a deliberately imperfect aesthetic. The result is a sound that feels colorful, playful and rough around the edges, with an affection for the distinctive spirit of 2010s “recession core.”
That sense of individuality is particularly evident in “Reruns,” a song built around a feeling that is both simple and deeply relatable: being caught in the same routine and desperately wishing for an excuse to break out of it. The desire to receive a call, make spontaneous plans and escape the repetition of everyday life gives the song its central emotional thread. For Jamythyst, however, the idea is not purely fictional. Their candid admission that this feeling is something they experience every day gives “Reruns” an intimate foundation, transforming a familiar pop premise into something rooted in personal experience.
Musically, the track draws on the sounds that shaped Jamythyst growing up. Their love of 90s R&B is especially important, with Mariah Carey serving as a major influence on the instrumentation, vocal approach and harmonies. That foundation is combined with dreamy synthesizers and analog drum machines, creating a meeting point between nostalgic R&B and electronic pop. Rather than simply recreating the past, Jamythyst uses those references as building blocks for something distinctly personal.
Their wider influences reveal an equally strong appreciation for artists who understood the power of a great pop record. Lady Gaga, Robyn, Prince, Janet Jackson and Madonna all represent different sides of the pop tradition that Jamythyst admires, particularly their unforgettable hooks, powerful drums and unapologetic commitment to being pop icons. These influences help explain the balance at the heart of the project: music that is immediate and catchy while still leaving room for personality, experimentation and emotional honesty.
Perhaps the most important part of Jamythyst’s creative process is the independence behind it. Writing, recording and producing from their Jersey City apartment allows them to maintain complete creative control, particularly when it comes to vocals and mixes. There is no separation between the artist and the producer. Jamythyst can follow an idea wherever it leads, make decisions instinctively and continue refining a track until it feels right.
The songwriting process itself usually begins with sound rather than words. A drum and bass line provide the initial foundation, with those elements guiding the lyrics and the rest of the instrumentation as the song develops. It is a process that places rhythm and atmosphere at the center before gradually allowing the story to emerge. Yet, despite the technical freedom of self-production, words remain at the heart of Jamythyst’s approach. Lyrics are their favorite part of songwriting and, at the same time, the most challenging, precisely because they believe the words matter more than anything else.
That attention to language gives “Reruns” an interesting emotional balance. The subject is restlessness, repetition and the desire to escape, but Jamythyst does not approach it with unnecessary heaviness. Instead, the song is designed to feel lighthearted and playful, allowing listeners to recognize themselves in the situation without becoming overwhelmed by it. There is something liberating in that contrast: acknowledging the frustrations of everyday life while still finding a reason to dance through them.
Looking ahead, Jamythyst is not interested in standing still. With a growing interest in vocal effects and new production plugins, they are preparing to push their sound further and experiment with new possibilities. It is a natural progression for an artist whose identity was built around creating a world of their own.
In this interview, Jamythyst opens up about the experiences behind “Reruns,” the 90s R&B influences that continue to shape their music, the freedom of producing independently, the artists who taught them the power of pop, and the creative possibilities they are eager to explore next.
To begin, could you tell us about your journey into music and how you developed your identity as Jamythyst?
I started writing and producing my own music at the start of the pandemic. After a decade of working with other musicians I was ready to create my own self-made world of electronic pop and knew I wanted it to be colorful and rough around the edges and reminiscent of 2010s recession core.
“Reruns” explores the feeling of being stuck in the same routine and wanting someone to call with an excuse to go out and have fun. What inspired this idea, and does the song reflect an experience you have had yourself?
As a person with crippling anxiety I have this experience every day 🙂
The track draws on 90s R&B while incorporating dreamy synths and analog drum machines. What attracts you to that era of music, and how did you bring those influences into “Reruns”?
I grew up on 90s rnb and used Mariah Carey as my main inspiration for most of the instrumentation and whatever I could muster vocally and harmony wise.
Your music takes inspiration from artists such as Lady Gaga, Robyn, Prince, Janet Jackson and Madonna. What have you learned from these artists, and how have they influenced your approach to songwriting, production and artistic identity?
To me these are the artists with the biggest and best pop hooks, the most hard hitting drums, the most unapologetically pop icons.
You write, record and produce your music yourself in your Jersey City apartment. What does working independently allow you to express that might be more difficult in a traditional studio setting?
I like having final say, specifically in the vocals and the mixes.
When creating a track like “Reruns,” what usually comes first for you: the lyrics, the melody, the synth sounds or the rhythm? How does the song develop from that initial idea?
I always start with the music, at least a drum and bass. Those inform the lyrics and other instrumentation.
“Reruns” has a relatable theme of wanting to escape everyday life for a while. What do you hope listeners feel when they hear the song, especially those who might be experiencing the same sense of routine?
I hope it feels light hearted and playful even though it’s a song about restlessness and repetition.
As someone who handles both the creative and technical sides of your music, which part of the process do you enjoy most, and which part challenges you the most?
Writing lyrics is my favorite part and it’s also the most challenging because the words are more important to me than anything else.
Looking ahead, what would you like to explore next as Jamythyst, and are there new sounds, themes or creative ideas you are excited to introduce in your upcoming music?
I’m excited to get more creative with my vocal effects and buy some new plugins to have fun with.
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