Natalie Jane opens up to Atwood Magazine about her impactful sophomore album ‘the world i didn’t want,’ which serves as a dance-driven manifesto addressing heartbreak, healing, and growing up in the digital age.
For Natalie Jane, showing vulnerability is a strength rather than a liability. The 22-year-old singer-songwriter has mastered the art of transforming heartbreak into captivating melodies, and on her sophomore album, the world i didn’t want, she expresses that honesty with unprecedented intention, strength, and creativity. Released on October 24 through Capitol Records / 10K Projects, this album encapsulates the vibrant turbulence of young adulthood with the intimate clarity of a diary entry and the upbeat energy of a dance floor confession.
Natalie Jane first gained attention through her viral TikTok covers and original songs that struck like lightning. As she explains to Atwood Magazine, this is the first time she has approached a project as a cohesive collection, treating each song as an essential part of a larger, more ambitious narrative. “It’s as if everything I’ve done leading up to this album has been practice,” she remarks. “Now, I finally feel like I have something to express.”
And express it she does. From the emotionally charged “any1 but myself” to the euphoric heartbreak of “fallin” and the introspective closer “black & white,” Jane doesn’t merely sing about pain and growth – she embodies it, experiencing it, and reflecting it back to her audience as a mirror. Her music resonates with the anxieties of growing up in a digital era, dealing with relationships, identity, and the overwhelming pressure of dreams that may fizzle out before they take flight. “What if I get halfway to the moon and then it all just stops?” she ponders on one track, capturing the existential angst of her generation in a single haunting phrase.
However, this isn’t a sorrowful album – it’s a testament to resilience. Drawing inspiration from the intensity of ’90s Eurodance, artists like Loreen, and her own quest for emotional release, the world i didn’t want is filled with exhilarating beats, cathartic moments, and deep basslines that touch the soul. It’s music designed for expressing emotions, whether that means shouting, crying, or dancing – sometimes all at once.
Now, after completing an international tour and achieving over 2 billion global streams, Natalie Jane has evolved from a viral phenomenon into a fully realized artist, expanding the boundaries of pop while remaining anchored in the emotional honesty that endeared her to fans in the first place. She emphasizes that this album is for her supporters, ensuring that each lyric and beat makes them feel less isolated in a world they never chose.
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:: stream/purchase the world i didn’t want here ::
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A CONVERSATION WITH NATALIE JANE
Atwood Magazine: “the world i didn’t want” signifies a bold, personal leap forward. What’s something you discovered about yourself during the album’s creation?
Natalie Jane: This album focuses on liberating yourself from the mental constraints you place on yourself. I began this project centered around themes of escapism and freedom. I realized that if I want people to experience that through my music, I need to do the same. This album taught me to let go and step outside of my comfort zone – I can’t encourage my audience to do something I’m not willing to do myself.
You mentioned that this is your first project viewed as a cohesive work. What made you feel prepared to create an album rather than just individual tracks?
Natalie Jane: In recent years, I’ve mainly been releasing bits and pieces of my creations. It feels like everything I’ve done prior to this album has been practice, getting me ready for this major performance. I’ve experimented with various sounds, collaborated with many different people, and I finally feel like I've discovered my musical family. Most importantly, I genuinely feel like I have something substantial to share. It’s as if I’m an artist with an intricate, elaborate painting, not merely sketches.
Was there a particular song that felt daunting to write or share due to its vulnerability? How did you overcome that fear?
Natalie Jane: “any1 but myself” was one of the most challenging songs for me to write. It was the first time I truly opened up about my insecurities, and I believe I hesitated to write it for quite some time because I understood the emotional weight it carried. However, now that it’s out, I’m truly grateful I pushed myself to create it.
How did the influence of ’90s Eurodance production come into play? Was there a particular song that inspired that direction?
Natalie Jane: There’s just something about that type of energy that resonates deeply. It’s grand, emotional, and authentic. I enjoy powerful vocals over deep bass that finally drops, providing a sense of release from everything I’m expressing
Natalie Jane opens up to Atwood Magazine about her transformative second album, ‘the world i didn’t want,’ which serves as a dance-driven manifesto exploring themes of heartbreak, healing, and coming of age in the digital era.