ALL ABOUT JESS
Chart-topping Australian singer Jessica Mauboy talks love, lonliness and music legend Whitney Houston on the eve of her new release, Yours Forever
You describe your new album, Yours Forever, as “a full circle moment”. Looking back on your career, what have been some of your biggest learnings?
I’ve always been very giving and I haven’t stopped that but I think you [have to] choose when to give. It’s healthy. You have to keep some for yourself. I learnt the hard way ... realising I felt so heavy in my own private space when I was at home.
For me, that’s the loneliest I ever was.
It’s a very personal album. How do you feel putting it out into the world?
It’s so personal that it makes me scared. That said, it also encourages me because I think anybody who hasn’t yet found their voice or hasn’t given themselves permission ... some of what I’m saying will resonate [with them]. It’s really all about storytelling and the honest moments I didn’t have the courage to say then but I’m able to say now. It’s so empowering.
The album is very much a return to your roots. Tell us about that.
I liked the idea of bringing the nostalgia of songs I’ve written in the past into this album. “Forget You” is probably the most pop-ish song – reminiscent of the fun stuff I’ve done in the past, like “Inescapable” and “Pop a Bottle (Fill Me Up)”. But with the album being a reflection, I wanted to delve into some heavier stuff too. “Goodbye”, for example, is about love moving in different directions and how difficult it can be to get the courage to say goodbye ... To experience that kind of love – there’s nothing like it. Going on is even harder but you do find a way to move on.
Absolutely, and moving on isn’t about forgetting or pretending that
love didn’t happen, but bringing those experiences with you as you move forward.
Love is complex. In my song “Underwater” I am scrounging to try to get above the water to breathe. That’s how I look at love. Love can be really hateful and then it can be tasty and confusing and also feel like a hug. With “Underwater” I’m saying that I’m scared to be vulnerable and dive in too deep and give you all of me, [only] for you to not give me anything back. It’s the fear of exposing that part of yourself when they may not want it.
It’s so cutthroat in a way.
Lyrically a lot of the songs were quite conversational. What conversations influenced your writing?
The album opens with the song “Yours Forever”, which I call a prayer. Other people would call it meditation. For me, it was like singing in a church or confessing to the universe or to God or your friend or your mum, and [in turn] discovering what kind of person you want to be or who you are right now.
Your album also includes a tribute to the late singer Whitney Houston, and your 2006 audition song for
Australian Idol was the Whitney Houston song “I Have Nothing”.
Tell us about Whitney and how her music has shaped you.
I get so emotional with this song.
It is really important because it is a full-circle moment that I shared very privately. Growing up I would sing Whitney Houston songs and wanted to be her. I’d imagine that one day she would see me perform and be so proud. My song “Whitney” is about the journey you go through when you’re in this bubble and then you go out and you start discovering who you are. You take these experiences with you in an imaginary suitcase. It’s a struggle, there’s always going to be challenges and obstacles to get through, but you work through it. It was a nod to these iconic women, whether it was Whitney or Britney [Spears], and their work, celebration and sacrifice – and how lonely their world could be.
You’ve said the song is also reflective of your childhood...
It’s a travelling song but it also remains in this childlike space that I’ll never forget: sitting in the back seat of my [grandparents’] minivan with my sisters and my little diary in my lap. We had no aircon so we’d have to push all the windows open so that the wind on the highway could bust through. We would stop at every bakery and pick up bread to give to people who were in need. So [the song is about] this kind of bubble of sharing and love but also struggle – and knowing that struggle – but still feeling safe. Just me and my diary in my lap, writing this journey. There’s nothing greater than having that to go back to.
Jessica Mauboy’s new album
Yours Forever is out now.
“IT WAS IMPORTANT TO SHARE THE HONEST MOMENTS I DIDN’T HAVE THE COURAGE TO SAY THEN, BUT I’M ABLE TO SAY NOW”