LA’s jxdn, the Gen-Z poster boy for pop-punk, is back and sounding more raw than ever
His sophomore album, When the Music Stops, is a seismic shift from the bratty teen anthems that first propelled him to fame.
Trading in glossy production for a more stripped-back sound, jxdn bares his soul on this deeply personal record.
With Travis Barker at the helm, the album is a sonic rollercoaster that veers from heart-wrenching ballads to high-octane rockers.
We caught up with the young star to talk about his new sound, working with Barker, and what the future holds.
Happy: What are your plans for today?
jxdn: Today I plan to be grateful and to have a spiritual show in Atlanta.
Happy: Your new album, “When the Music Stops,” is about to be released. What inspired you to create it?
jxdn: I wanted to feel like myself again.
Happy: Working with Travis Barker is a dream for many artists. How was the experience of collaborating with him on this album?
jxdn: It’s a dream for me too. Travis is the perfect person to work with every single time. I am lucky to call him a friend and collaborator.
Happy: What was your creative process like for this album? Did you encounter any challenges along the way?
jxdn: All the challenges came before I made the music. The music was the easiest part.
Happy: Your debut album was a huge success. How did that experience shape your approach to making music now?
jxdn: I think that was one of the biggest challenges, not letting the success shape the art.
Happy: : You’ve been called a Gen-Z ambassador for pop-punk. What does this title mean to you?
jxdn: It’s a great place to start. These days though, my soul belongs to rock and roll in general.
Happy: Can you share a memorable moment from the recording sessions of “When the Music Stops”?
jxdn: The title track, “When the Music Stops,” was the last song that we made. It was an incredibly spiritual moment with me, Travis and Brian Lee. It was exactly what I needed to finish the project.
Happy: What message do you hope listeners take away from “When the Music Stops”?
jxdn: The whole point is when the music stops the world keeps singing. I want people to realize that they are music, songs are just a sound.
Happy: What makes you happy?
jxdn: Seeing other people happy and the sun.
