Big Yellow Jacket Releases New EP, Burned Out

Irish singer-songwriter, producer, and long-time Drop Rocket user and friend Big Yellow Jacket has released a new EP, Burned Out. Reflective of a year of change for the artist, music was the creative outlet that kept notes on the journey. The result was Burned Out, a collection of tracks that mix low-fi with electronica and dance influences to create a signature sound. It's been a pleasure seeing this sound develop over the past year and watching Big Yellow Jacket progress as an artist and songwriter. We sat down with him to ask him some questions about the project.

What inspired this EP? Are there any thematic trends that connect the songs?

This EP started out as a song, Burned Out. The idea behind the song was to push myself in my music to create something I hadn't done before. Stretching samples until they became rhythmic and using more dance elements. I used this technique to symbolize how stretched I felt in a hectic ever-changing life. 2023/24 was a big year of change for me. I used elements of Poetry to push across some issues that lay on my mind (Homesick and Burned Out). 

Music was the outlet for this period. I kept my head down writing and producing this EP using the elements I had for Burned Out, and I feel I wrote a complete set of work that worked well together in how I felt in that window of time. 

I was one song short of where I wanted with the EP, so I reflected on a folk song I wrote in 2015 and decided it had potential to be more in a different life. So I re-recorded Listen and put it in there. 

All these songs are inspired by change, anxiety and struggling with and learning to deal with emotions. 

There seems to be mental health themes that weave throughout the EP. Did this inform the EP thematically?

I think so, I have struggled with anxiety over the past few years and I am taking it day by day to learn to talk more about how I am feeling. Especially when I'm overwhelmed. This EP possibly was born at one of the most anxious times I think I’ve ever had. Every change was so new to me and I found myself shutting down from time to time because I didn't know what to do. 

Writing these songs was therapeutic. There’s everything in the lyrics from tearing my hair out to declarations of love. It's about struggling to ultimately triumph over your own fears. 

In terms of sonic threads that connect the tunes, you seem to have really found your electro-indie-pop sound. Tell us about the journey to finding this sound. 

I think I have bounced around from sound to sound over the years! I started with an acoustic and slowly graduated to more synth folk, I think I just kept trying things until something felt right for me. Opening up to more influences helped in a big way, using random playlists to listen to artists unknown to me was a massive help, I could see how they produced and wrote songs and identified with it. I could then use techniques and sounds I never thought of before and then began to find my identity as an artist. 

In what ways do you feel you grew as a songwriter and producer throughout the making of this EP?

I always feel like I'm growing as a producer and artist if I'm honest. With every song I try to do something different or try a different technique or mixing style on instruments to make it sound interesting. It keeps everything fresh in my mind. I definitely feel I grow as a producer with each song. The older I get I hope my lyrics are more mature or more interesting and relatable to people. I think as a songwriter and musician you grow when putting pen to paper, you imprint a piece of you in each song. 

 I think as a songwriter and musician you grow when putting pen to paper, you imprint a piece of you in each song. 

You’ve been releasing pretty consistently for the last few years (we love to see it!) What keeps you going through the ups and downs of independent artistry? 

I have let go of the pressure that I put myself under to succeed, weird as that sounds. I am writing and releasing for me. Music is the art form which I can express myself and if I cant do it with passion if I'm not doing it for me. I used to think of it in the form of the content machine and it made me anxious and stressed about writing and releasing consistently. 

I dont think anyone needs that much pressure from something you do because you love it. I think it's reflected in the songs. They mean more to you and anyone who connects with them. 

I dont think anyone needs that much pressure from something you do because you love it. I think it's reflected in the songs. They mean more to you and anyone who connects with them. 

Burned Out EP comes after a year of consistent single releases for you. How does the year of lead-up look upon reflection?

I think it's been a massively productive year. It's an EP I am thoroughly proud of and I feel I can listen to it without judgment or negative reflection on what I could have done better. 

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned through this EP release?

To take time and give each song its due diligence. Each song is telling a story and try not to force words that don't fit or aren't in line with the message. I learned to let go of songs also, not to over think or over produce them. 

How has Drop Rocket helped your EP release journey? 

Drop Rocket is a constant in my release strategies. It keeps me structured and stops me putting the cart before the horse when my enthusiasm and lack of patience gets a hold of me. Not only is it a great tool for releasing but you guys at Drop Rocket are always so supportive of my music and attentive around each release. Not only a great service but great friends to the project. 

Listen to the new EP here:

This EP was released using Drop Rocket. Want to Release Music Better? Get in touch or check us out to get started!