We Speak Music

Jenna Pemkowski Embraces Creative Independence with New Single “Dynasty”

Published

2 years ago

September 6, 2024

Jenna Pemkowski, an accomplished singer-songwriter from Hamilton, Ontario, is proud to announce the release of her latest single, “Dynasty.” Known for her collaborations with electronic and pop artists like Zeds Dead, Memorecks, and Dabin, Jenna is now taking centre stage as a solo artist. “Dynasty” marks a pivotal moment in her career, showcasing her growth and independence as a musician.

Jenna’s journey to this point has been marked by a decade of collaboration, lending her voice and songwriting talents to various projects across genres. However, with “Dynasty,” she steps confidently into the spotlight, revealing a more personal and introspective side of her artistry. The single is a testament to her ability to blend indie, alternative pop, and bedroom pop into a sound that is uniquely her own, characterized by its emotive depth and captivating melodies.

Written and recorded in the bedroom of her parents’ basement, “Dynasty” is a raw and intimate exploration of Jenna’s thoughts and feelings during the pandemic. The song reflects the DIY ethos that has come to define the bedroom pop genre—a style that thrives on authenticity and emotional honesty. This approach allowed Jenna to fully express her creativity, unencumbered by the constraints of traditional studio settings.

Jenna’s creative process for “Dynasty” was both introspective and collaborative. Despite being physically isolated, she worked closely with two friends and producers to craft the track, using virtual tools to bridge the distance. This collaboration was essential in bringing the song to life, as it combined Jenna’s personal lyrics and melodies with the expertise and input of her trusted collaborators.

“Dynasty” captures the complexity of living through uncertain times, blending ethereal sounds with introspective lyrics that explore themes of impermanence, resilience, and self-discovery. Jenna’s vocal delivery is both haunting and hopeful, reflecting the duality of finding solace in creativity while navigating the unknown.

The title “Dynasty” plays on the concept of legacy and the false sense of permanence we often attach to life’s moments. Jenna uses this metaphor to highlight the fleeting nature of experiences, urging listeners to embrace the present and find beauty in the transient. The track’s soothing yet powerful composition mirrors this sentiment, creating a soundscape that is as reflective as it is comforting.

Critics and fans alike have praised “Dynasty” for its honest portrayal of personal growth and its innovative blend of musical influences. Jenna’s ability to seamlessly merge genres while maintaining a distinct voice sets her apart as a fresh and compelling artist in the indie music scene.

We Speak Music

Col Darcy Unveils New Single ‘Pay Up’

Published

16 hours ago

August 4, 2026

Philomena Marie

Col Darcy’s ‘Pay Up’ arrives with the calm authority of an artist who has already learned that longevity is its own form of victory. The second single from ‘Redemption’, his forthcoming album, is a composed piece of independent hip-hop that places persistence, ambition and personal conviction at its centre. Rather than presenting success as spectacle, Darcy approaches it as something accumulated slowly, through experience, discipline and faith in one’s own direction.

That sense of earned perspective has been central to Darcy’s work from the beginning. As Caper, he drew national attention with ‘How Would You Like To Be Me?’, a politically charged anti-racism song whose influence eventually extended into cinema. Alongside ‘Opportunity’, the track appeared in Netflix’s A Second Chance: Rivals!, bringing Darcy’s writing to an audience well beyond the usual confines of Australian hip-hop. Yet his subsequent career has remained grounded in independence, with the acclaimed ‘Beautiful Hopeless’ further establishing his commitment to thoughtful writing and considered craft.

‘Pay Up’ continues that trajectory while revealing an artist interested in the emotional economics of perseverance. Darcy writes from the perspective of someone who has experienced the slow rewards of staying the course. The lyrics use sharp wordplay and layered metaphor to turn a familiar idea into something more personal. His delivery is particularly effective for its restraint. There is no need to overstate the message when the voice behind it sounds as though it has lived through the argument already.

The song also reflects the wider concerns of ‘Redemption’, a record shaped by travel, fatherhood, gratitude and renewed self-awareness. Much of the album was recorded in Bali, and the island’s atmosphere reportedly helped cultivate its more contemplative dimensions. That background lends ‘Pay Up’ an intriguing duality. It is a song about ambition, but not restless ambition. Its confidence feels less like hunger for external validation and more like an acceptance that the journey itself has meaning.

What emerges is a track that understands hip-hop as both music and testimony. Darcy’s influences, from Tupac Shakur and Eminem to Kendrick Lamar, belong to a lineage in which personal narrative can become social observation and self-examination can become communal language. ‘Pay Up’ honours that tradition while remaining contemporary in its presentation. As a statement of intent for ‘Redemption’, it suggests an artist who has found greater clarity without sacrificing his edge, and who understands that the most durable kind of success is the kind you build yourself.