Jewel Owusu drops sultry self-love anthem ‘spark’

Filipino-Ghanaian alt-pop artist Jewel Owusu returns with a vibrant new single titled “spark,” transforming fleeting desire into a bold, danceable celebration of self-love and inner confidence.

Released Thursday, August 21, 2025, on all digital platforms, the sleek electro-pop track blends infectious production with lyrical introspection—unpacking what it means to crave connection while reclaiming that longing as an invitation to reconnect with oneself.

“The song explores how easily a craving for aliveness can be mistaken for the thrill of someone new,” said Owusu. “When deep down it is really about wanting to feel more connected to yourself again and wanting to feel sexy and confident.”

Produced by Australian artist and frequent collaborator Aria Wood, “spark” rides shimmering synths and sensual vocal layering while balancing euphoria with introspection.

Built for both headphones and dance floors, the song plays with electronic textures that match its emotional push and pull, underscoring Owusu’s lyrical theme: the duality between fantasy and self-renewal.

Owusu views the track as a departure from heavier, more introspective material.

“It’s a bit of a breather amidst the more introspective songs, a moment for listeners to let loose and just have fun on the dance floor,” she said. “That said, if there’s a deeper message, it’s this: don’t mistake the craving for excitement in life for the need to find someone new or dive into a relationship. Kill the spark for that random person and find your spark for life.”

A standout production twist lies in the song’s use of a robotic voice that delivers the word “heat,” which Owusu says adds a “futuristic edge to the track’s sensual undertones.”

She revealed that shaping each chorus into something distinct became a key creative challenge.

“A fun detail comes right before the second drop, where we knew we wanted something wild, like a siren or a shout,” Owusu said. “I recorded tons of whoosh sounds for the riser and experimented with different shouts. After a lot of trial and error, we landed on a scream, which felt perfect.”

The final drop brings another surprise—a single word, delivered with playful defiance.

“We decided on the word ‘whatever,’ which adds a playful vibe and sound,” she said.

Though sonically upbeat, “spark” reflects Owusu’s ongoing exploration of identity, relationships, and the blurred lines between external attraction and internal longing.

It will be part of her upcoming EP, expected to drop later this year.

Owusu’s previous release, the dreamy “Time Machine” featuring Filipino avant-pop darling ena mori, garnered attention from outlets such as Billboard Philippines and Bandwagon Asia, further cementing her place among Asia’s rising alt-pop voices.

Born in Hong Kong, raised in New Zealand, and now based in Melbourne, the 22-year-old singer-producer navigates genres and geographies with ease, blending dance, indie pop, electronic, and rock into a distinct, globally attuned sound.

She has been featured on major stages including SXSW Sydney and Music Matters Singapore, headlined sold-out shows, and earned nods from Rolling Stone, Colors Studio, MTV, and Triple J.

Owusu also won Triple J Unearthed’s collaboration competition and continues to gain momentum on platforms like TikTok, where her genre-blending aesthetic resonates with younger audiences.

In her work, music becomes more than a product—it’s a medium for transformation and self-expression.

“In Jewel’s world, imperfection is not only welcomed but celebrated,” reads her artist bio.

With “spark,” that celebration now arrives with a beat—one that invites listeners to dance, reflect, and remember the fire they carry within.