JoJoopens up about how “toxic thoughts and the past can feed into your present” in new music.
The “Too Little, Too Late” singer released a new single “Worst (I Assume)” — with an accompanyingmusic videoon Friday.
The single is the first release from her upcoming EPTrying Not to Think About It,and the singer shared she wrote the song from a “protective mechanism.”
“I wrote it from the protective mechanism that sometimes I have, of bracing for the worst in a relationship — whether it’s romantic, or professional, even though that might not be what ends up happening,” JoJo, 30, tells PEOPLE exclusively.
The single goes hand-in-hand with the overall theme of the EP, and the singer shares she knew she wouldn’t be able to make another album if she didn’t get this one “off her heart.”
“Worst (I Assume)” cover art.Alfredo Flores
JoJo says the past year made her fall into “dark places” due to uncertainty and fear — which is whatTrying Not to Think About Itreflects.
The singer says she’s most vulnerable when she feels “connected to people around the world” — and music is “the most incredible and seamless way to have that connection.”
JoJo has experienced depression and anxiety since she was a teenager — but a song titled “Anxiety (Burlinda)” on the EP made her realize she had been “writing about being depressed for a long time.”
JoJo.Alfredo Flores
In the single, JoJo personifies anxiety and describes it as an abusive relationship. The relationship she describes is between herself and the “gross gremlin that tries to take control of your life.” She calls this tendency “Belinda.”
“The dance is not perfect — at least mine isn’t right. So I had to get over myself,” JoJo said.
“It’s good timing because that’s what this project is about as well — trying to push through and be gentle with yourself, but knowing that you can do it,” she continued.
Trying Not to Think About It cover art.Alfredo Flores
Trying Not to Think About Itfollows the singer’s fourth studio albumGood to Know, which was released in May 2020.
This past May, the singerplaced secondon season 5 ofThe Masked Singer,and at the time told PEOPLE she didn’t anticipate making it that far in the competition.
“I had no expectation of even making it past the first episode,” said JoJo. “Truly every single time I was up there for elimination, I was like, ‘OK, this is it. I’m going home.’ Because as a fan, I’ve seen some of the best singers in the world not win the show.”
“Worst (I Assume)” is out now andTrying Not to Think About Itis set to release on Oct. 1. The following day, JoJo will kick off herlive tourin Boston.
source: people.com
