Jake Sternberg of Ruby Sparks continues to build anticipation for his debut album with the release of “Pleasure,” an upbeat jangle-pop dream reminiscent of The Beatles, celebrating themes of self-worth, vulnerability, and the joy found in life’s simplest moments.
Amidst the chaos and monotony, it’s those fleeting instances where we encounter love, peace, and joy that truly create meaning in our lives.
Life seldom allows us to pause and catch our breath, let alone find serenity. There are times when each moment of wakefulness feels consumed, when deadlines merge together, making rest a mere fantasy rather than a reality. During these periods, joy can seem painfully out of reach—like a remote island visible yet unattainable. Ruby Sparks’ “Pleasure” embodies this struggle: the desire for relief, the wish to unload burdens, and the effort to reconnect with genuine happiness. It’s a jangly, warm, and bittersweet tribute to the quiet joys of existence and a recognition of the difficulty in grasping them.
The lyrics express feelings of chronic stress and tiredness, coupled with a longing for a brief escape from one’s own mind.
Atwood Magazine is excited to premiere “Pleasure,” the third single from Ruby Sparks’ upcoming debut album, Iris, set to release on November 5th, 2025. This indie pop venture from Los Angeles’ Jake Sternberg fuses the elegance of '60s pop with the melodic energy of early 2000s indie rock—imagine piano melodies akin to The Beatles, bold guitar riffs, and harmonies that twinkle like sunlight through leaves. “Pleasure” arrives before Sternberg’s performance at the Merry-Go-Round Magazine’s 10-year anniversary showcase this August, following the earlier singles “Nowhere Man” (a tribute to The Beatles) and “Dreams.” The track is rich and vibrant, shaped by the production of Collin Desha (Low Hum) and mixed by Phil Joly (The Strokes, Lana Del Rey, Daft Punk), offering a pop-rock daydream full of melodic vibrance and emotional depth.
Lively pianos and resonant guitars create the atmosphere, their carefree rhythm tempered by Sternberg’s sincere vocal delivery—warm, soulful, and just rugged enough to feel authentic. The melody progresses with a McCartney-like buoyancy, yet the lyrics carry weight, reflecting on burnout, guilt, and the challenging journey to self-acceptance.
“‘Pleasure’ is my favorite song I’ve written to date,” Sternberg shares with Atwood Magazine. “I penned it over two years ago during my 28th birthday week, following an immensely demanding month at work. The song delves into that urgency and attempts to address how to find joy amid life’s chaos. My birthday, which falls on the last day of May, marked a period of tireless work towards an unreachable goal. This coincided with my first trip to Hawaii as a mentor at the Hawaii Songwriting Festival—a moment where I vividly recall experiencing intense feelings of both defeat and pleasure.”
This personal backstory highlights the emotional complexity of “Pleasure,” combining radiant melodies with an undercurrent of urgency, vulnerability, and release.
“Due to my upbringing, joy was never something I felt I could possess internally; it had to be earned,” Sternberg elaborates. “Consequently, I often experienced guilt for self-indulgence and felt compelled to seek external validation to feel fulfilled or worthy. It has taken years to unlearn those behaviors and reshape my connection to ‘Pleasure,’ which is still a developing process. This journey has led me to discover that vulnerability and self-acceptance are key. I’ve realized that leaning into those feelings brings me closer to peace, despite the discomfort that frequently accompanies them.”
This delicate tension—between the desire for joy and the belief that one must "earn" it—imbues the song with its emotional resonance, even during its more euphoric moments.
“The song concludes with one of the most vulnerable lines I’ve ever written—a statement of my worthiness of love, despite having neglected it for so long,” he explains. “Choosing to accept imperfect love for all the happiness it brings is miraculous, yet often taken for granted. Within the chaos and monotony are those small moments where we experience love, peace, and joy, and where true meaning emerges. My favorite moment on the album is the harmonized guitar slide solo at the end of the track, which I believe sonic encapsulates the feeling of peace and release that this song now represents for me.”
Sternberg’s reflections echo the song's journey, evolving from contemplation into liberation. The verses capture the weariness and quiet introspection, while the choruses elevate into something unrestrained—a sigh of relief when finally letting go.
The final lyrics convey a sense of irony given the song's joyful sound amidst themes of burnout and self-doubt
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Jake Sternberg of Ruby Sparks continues to hint at his upcoming debut album with “Pleasure,” a lively jangle-pop dream that is reminiscent of The Beatles and shines with a radiant quality. The song explores themes of self-worth, vulnerability, and the joy that comes from life’s little moments that are hard-earned.