Sydney's JODI offers up sarcastic, sensitive, dreamy alt-pop single, 'SIMP'

Sydney is a boiling pot of underground alt-pop right now, and add emerging artist JODI (aka Jodi Cohen) in that company, bringing along her latest single, the sarcastic, sensitive, dreamy and driving ‘SIMP’.

Known for her prowess as a contemporary singer, songwriter and producer, JODI’s sound touches all the notes of indie-pop and electronic dance music.

Gorgeously acerbic, and romantically twisted, JODI brings a touch of old school darkwave, blended with electro-tinged alt-pop on ‘SIMP’. Super-compressed, dry and damn catchy drumbeats, merging with playfully sinister bassline and eerie synths, brilliantly juxtaposing with the dreamy, borderline alt-rap vocals from JODI that are packed with flirtations and sarcasm. Quirky, cool things come in tiny packages, and clocking in at just over 2 minutes, ‘SIMP’ is just that.

‘SIMP’ was created at the hands of Purple Drapes (Jared Higgs) and JODI, this track being their second collaborative single. It’s a boppy, crunchy, head-banging, feet-tapping tune about love in its infancy. Inspired by personal experiences, the pair completed the original demo in a day. SIMP was written two weeks after meeting a new love, and in it, JODI recounts her journey in realising it’s okay to be ‘cringe’ and vulnerable when you’re mingling with new love interests.

JODI is ironically witty in her lyrics, singing, “I’m a total simp, you’re making me cringe,” and fearless in her desire, blatantly saying, “You work in the water, and I’m always wet for you.” The pair primarily took their inspiration from Men I Trust and popular TikTok songs of 2022, the result being a summer love song with a playful edge. The track presents feelings of excitement and simplistic happiness, driven by a pulsating bassline and catchy melodies. JODI and Purple Drapes’ minimal production on this track lets Jodi’s lyrics speak for themself.

JODI says, “This track was so smooth from the get go. We usually write from Jared’s home studio in Collaroy, and we basically completed this demo in a day. We didn't touch it for several months after that because to me it felt perfectly finished in it’s demo form.” JODI reflects on the process of writing SIMP, mentioning that, “At the time of writing, February 2023, I had met my current partner and was feeling very floaty and happy and content. I wanted to write something very cute, and cringe, whilst simultaneously almost stepping outside of that mind frame to comment on the slightly cynical side of falling in love.”

Ever-inspired by a range of her favourite artists, including Empire Of The Sun, Dua Lipa, Men I Trust, and having worked with local favourites, Lola Scott, Moonboy (Oscar Sharah), Daphnie (Alistair Hayes) and Purple Drapes, Jodi’s experience in performing and production is constantly evolving and adjusting as she learns from those who inspire her outlook. Jodi has also recorded at Universal’s Forbes St. Studio and performed at the Domain to crowds of 30,000, a big achievement for any emerging artist. The experiences of her life have shaped her artistic lens; painting pictures of heartbreak and resilience, all infiltrated with gratifying harmonies, sarcastic lyrics, and addictive grooves. A creator by nature, Jodi attempts to communicate her life experience and personal story through the creation of Music, Poetry and Art.

Do a deep dive into JODI’s latest single, ‘SIMP’, out now on all streaming platforms.