Drawing us in with a celestial riser, expanding into a shimmering and ethereal soundscape, JES opens We Could Be Stardust with cosmic notions as she sings, “I don’t need to change the world to know that we are made of falling embers of lost time…”. The opus evolves with dimensionality and the hook, “We could be stardust, we could be angels…” as JES reminds us of our spiritual origin story.
The pop-EDM build of the track is cohesive and sublime, we appreciate the celestial textures that align with the message of the song and the poetic prowess that manifests. There is no doubt that We Could Be Stardust holds a cinematic allure and would be perfect for a range of sync placements, notably a psychedelic TV show like Nine Perfect Strangers, or a movie like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
In essence, the song is a reflection on perspective, wonder and the age-old mystery of being alive. JES encourages us to zoom out from the minutiae details of everyday life and consider our existence against the vastness of the cosmos. The concept of becoming stardust becomes a beautiful metaphor for our interconnectedness. It is delivered at a time when we, as a society, need it the most.
The celestial imagery also gives the song a real sense of spirituality. We are invited to contemplate where we came from, what we are made of and how insignificant yet meaningful our individual experiences can be. Speaking on the inspiration behind the track, JES explains, “We Could Be Stardust is a reminder that some of the things we spend the most time worrying about become much smaller when you zoom out. It came from wanting to step back from the noise for a moment and feel the miracle of being here at all. Not everything needs to be explained. Sometimes it’s enough just to feel it.”
We learn that the song was written by JES and Richard Robson, who has previously worked with artists including Tiësto, Shakira and Richard Ashcroft, and produced alongside UK producer Bedlam, with mastering from Jonas W.K. We Could Be Stardust also continues the unfolding story of Dreamer, JES‘s forthcoming album.
For some background, JES is a New York-born singer, songwriter, producer and performer whose unmistakable voice has connected with audiences around the world for more than two decades. A Grammy-nominated artist with over 300 million streams, Billboard #1 releases and a career shaped by emotionally driven electronic music, she has consistently transcended genre through her emphasis on storytelling, atmosphere and human connection.
Needless to say, We Could Be Stardust is a deeply resonant release that reminds us that sometimes the most profound shift in perspective can come from simply looking up. We have added the track to our New Music Spotlight and TIMELESS playlists, whilst we continue to immerse ourselves in the unfolding universe of JES and look forward to discovering where Dreamer takes us next.