You know that butterflies-in-your-stomach, can’t-stop-smiling, totally-delusional-in-a-good-way feeling when you first catch feelings for someone? That’s exactly what Samantha Jessalyn captures in their latest single, “LOVE NOTES”—a dreamy, heart-on-sleeve anthem that bottles up the thrill of infatuation and turns it into pure sonic serotonin.
Hailing from Brigantine, NJ, Samantha is an 18-year-old singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who’s been DIY-ing their way into our hearts since childhood. Armed with a guitar, a piano, a ukulele, a bass, and a whole lot of emotional depth, they’ve crafted a sound that’s raw, intimate, and just the right amount of nostalgic. With over 44k+ streams (and counting!), Samantha is proving that music made from the heart always finds a home.
“LOVE NOTES” is exactly what it sounds like—a melodic confession, a sonic keepsake, a lyrical Post-it stuck to your brain forever. The song explores the magic of meeting someone and instantly feeling like they’ve got you figured out in the best (and most slightly terrifying) way possible. From memorizing your words to effortlessly pulling you in, it’s that dizzying moment where you realize, “Oh no, I’m hooked.”
The production mirrors that rush of emotions, blending indie-pop shimmer with singer-songwriter vulnerability. Samantha’s vocals feel like a warm hug wrapped in wistful melodies and an underlying sense of anticipation. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to text your crush, then immediately throw your phone across the room.
Samantha isn’t just making music—they’re creating a space for connection, emotion, and all the messy, beautiful feelings in between. With “LOVE NOTES,” they hope to bring people together in a collective celebration of love, proving that no matter where you are in your journey—whether you’re falling, flying, or free-falling—you’re not alone.
“LOVE NOTES” beautifully captures the rush of infatuation. Can you walk us through the moment or experience that inspired you to write this song?
Thank you! When it came to writing this song, I was reflecting on my music career as a whole. My first single was a love song, and I wanted to tap into my roots by writing another, almost as a love note to the fans who have been here from the beginning. I’ve been experiencing a lot of love in my life as a whole, especially with a particular person, and they’ve been so supportive of me since meeting.
At the beginning of our relationship, I used to write them love notes frequently, and it’s something I’ve done throughout the entirety of the course of our relationship. When thinking of that, I knew I wanted to write “LOVE NOTES” as a celebration of my love with this person, but I also had in mind that it would be a celebration for my listeners as well– whether it be through celebrating their love with a loved one or coming along for the ride of my musical journey.
You’re a self-taught multi-instrumentalist and songwriter—how has that DIY approach shaped your sound and creative process?
The DIY approach is super important to me. I want my work to feel personal, allowing consumers to feel as though they are getting to know me and my mindset regarding my craft. I’m incredibly independent and have been my manager, publisher, and creator for everything regarding my music.
However, as my career has grown, I’ve started learning how to maintain my DIY approach while beginning to work with other collaborators– whether it be through cover art or ideas. I think it’s crucial to add personal touches to my music and career while not being afraid to ask for help.
Your music feels deeply personal yet universally relatable. How do you balance writing from your own experiences while making sure listeners can see themselves in your songs?
It’s honestly not always the easiest! For me, my songwriting is an extension of my experiences and feelings. I love being able to tell a story and be authentically myself while storytelling. At the end of the songwriting process, it comes down to deciding what lyrics are too raw and can be rephrased to sound better and generally come across better.
Sometimes, I’ve rewritten pieces to feel less like a diary entry and more like a meaningful experience. Off the top of my head, my song “1441” is a track I had to be careful with when it came to storytelling and sharing my story. The track is incredibly personal, talking about abuse. I wanted to be raw but also provide double meanings for specific lyrics so listeners could apply the song to multiple scenarios they may be experiencing. The balance is something that I’m still learning to navigate.
With two albums under your belt and a third in the works, how do you see your sound evolving, and what can fans expect from your upcoming music?
My sound continuously evolves with me. With this upcoming record, I aim to establish my sound while still enjoying writing across various genres. I want my music to feel more cohesive; to enhance my craft and present my complete ideas on stage, I’ve begun exploring the possibility of forming a band for live performances.
Fans can anticipate a change in my music, representing my growth rather than just a sonic shift, as I strive to broaden my sound and experiences. Unlike during the creation of my first two albums, I’m not experiencing the same heartache. I’ve had the chance to reflect on my past experiences and am taking more time with my work instead of hastily generating ideas.
I cherish the songs from my previous albums and wouldn’t have wanted to release them differently, but I’m now aiming to devote more time to my craft. “Sea Bunnies” and “The Starry Night” were released in consecutive years, but I haven’t dropped a new record in nearly two years since I chose to pause last year.
This break from music has been a different experience, yet I am enthusiastic about continuing my storytelling and sharing my songs with the world. Fans can expect that I am investing more effort behind the scenes to facilitate a better album rollout and hopefully perform more live shows and release merchandise– which my fans have wanted for a long time.
What do you hope people feel when they listen to “LOVE NOTES,” and what’s the biggest takeaway you want them to have from your music as a whole?
When it comes to “LOVE NOTES,” I want my listeners to feel encapsulated by new infatuation and love. Like I’ve said before, the track is really a celebration of my love with someone, and I want my listeners to feel the excitement and enamored. It’s meant to be an upbeat song you can enjoy and come out of listening feeling joyful.
When it comes to my music as a whole, I want listeners to realize that I’m putting in a lot of work to share my stories in hopes that they can turn to my music to relate. I spent a lot of time feeling unheard and like nobody truly understood me, but I always had music to turn to in the end. I want listeners to be able to feel heard.