As we go into 2025, everyone is keeping an eye on who’s up and coming, and which artist is going to blow up on the scene next. As for us here at THP, one of the artists we have our eyes on is Jana Diab! We were lucky enough to get to chat with Jana about Season One, and got to deliver further into what makes this such a special record!
Stream Season One here!
Hi Jana! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us today! To start us off, how would you describe your music to someone who is tuning in for the first time?
Hello! I’m really excited to dive into these questions. How would I describe my music to someone tuning in for the first time? I’d say it’s raw—it’s a direct expression of my experiences and emotions. Maybe a bit over-dramatized at times, but overall, my music is an accumulation of self-discovery and vulnerability. Genre-wise, it’s pop with influences from folk, R&B, rap, and more.
I think for me, songwriting became a way to process all the highs and lows, and it’s been this constant path of self-discovery. I’ve had moments that pushed me to look deeper into who I am and what I want to say, which led me to write the songs on my Season One EP. It’s really a reflection of those different “chapters” in my life, each one shaping who I am and how I express myself.
Season One, which is your first EP, has been out for a little over a month! How are you feeling about having this body of work out in the world?
For a long time, I was writing music without releasing anything. So, to finally have my music out for everyone to hear is honestly such a relief. It feels like I can move forward into the next phase of my life, tapping into emotions that may echo what’s on this EP but also exploring new sides of myself.
Back in June when you released ‘Escape Plan,’ did you already know that it would be a part of this bigger project?
Yes! Couros Sheibani, my collaborator, and I wrote Season One together on the very first day we met. We then spent a full week writing and creating non-stop. ‘Escape Plan’ was actually the fourth song we wrote together, and by then, I knew it was going to be part of a larger project.
And on the topic of ‘Escape Plan,’ what went into the decision to make this track your debut song?
I felt that it summed up the sound of the EP really well. It had a beautiful balance of an emotional, singer-songwriter/folk vibe while still bringing in the R&B, sexier side of the EP. I felt it was important to release ‘Escape Plan;’ it was an easier song to digest as an introduction to who I am and what will come next.
Something that really amazed us about this EP were the visuals that go along with it, which we read that you filmed in your hometown in Egypt! Can you tell us a bit about that process and why you chose Cairo to be the backdrop for these videos?
Thank you! I felt it was really important to share the beauty of my country and my people. The experience was honestly life-changing. Embracing a culture that I felt distanced from for much of my life—and experiencing the warmth and kindness that everyone so naturally shared with me—was incredibly moving. I wanted to show the Western world that the Arab world shouldn’t always be seen through negative connotations or known only for its tourist attractions. The true beauty of Egypt lies within its people and the richness of its culture.
We know this EP chronicles a personal journey for you. Was there a particular song that was a struggle to put to words, but that you knew you needed to write?
Yes, ‘I’ll Just Say It.’ It wasn’t necessarily a struggle, but the process was definitely more intense compared to writing my other songs on the EP. We really wanted to capture the feeling of having ADHD—not just expressing it through words, but also through the song’s structure, the distribution of the music, the melodies, and the instrumentation.
There is now an extended version of the EP with four brand new songs! What went into the decision of what songs to hold for this extended release?
During that time, Couros and I wrote many songs, but the ones that stood out to me the most were the ones I recently released, along with the additional four: ‘Out of Line,’ ‘Honey, I Love You More,’ and ‘Nine Lives.’ My decision was based on how I felt about each song. If I had any doubts about whether I truly loved a song, I would set it aside to revisit later. However, for the ones I felt 100% confident about, I chose to release them. It sounds simple, but I just trusted my gut.
Once again, thank you so much for chatting with us! Before we let you go, can you tell us what is in store for you in 2025?
Thank you so much for asking such thoughtful questions, I really enjoyed answering them. I of course have the extended version of my EP Season One coming out!! Each song is being released with a visualiser as well; it will be uploaded to YouTube on the day of the release. I will be working for a couple weeks in a writing camp, writing some new music for everyone, so I can’t wait for you guys to hear!!! Thank you again for these amazing questions! Speak soon ❤️
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We would love to hear from you! What is your favorite track off of Jana Diab’s EP Season One? Let us know by commenting down below or by tweeting us @TheHoneyPOP! We are also on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok!
