Jewel Owusu turns desire into a self-love anthem in new single “spark”

Filipino-Ghanaian artist and producer Jewel Owusu dives into the complexity of desire in her new single “spark”—out on all digital music platforms worldwide this Thursday, August 21, 2025.

The suave electro-pop track dabbles between introspection and dance-floor energy, reflecting on fleeting thoughts about someone else that arrive uninvited. Rather than framing them as dangerous and destructive, Owusu examines them as symbols of freedom and excitement and of the aliveness that can sometimes feel distant in a settled routine.

Lyrically, “spark” is part confession, part liberation. Owusu explains, “The song explores how easily a craving for aliveness can be mistaken for the thrill of someone new, when deep down it is really about wanting to feel more connected to yourself again and wanting to feel sexy and confident.”

Owusu adds, “It’s a bit of a breather amidst the more introspective songs, a moment for listeners to let loose and just have fun on the dance floor. That said, if there’s a deeper message, it’s this: don’t mistake the craving for excitement in life for the need to find someone new or dive into a relationship. Kill the spark for that random person and find your spark for life.”

By turning a potentially taboo thought into an honest conversation, Owusu reimagines longing as an invitation to rediscover joy within, rather than seek it elsewhere.

Produced by close collaborator Aria Wood, “spark” matches its thematic duality. Conceived during an impromptu studio session, the song pairs shimmering synth layers with rhythmic precision. One intriguing production choice—a robotic voice delivering the word “heat” in place of Owusu’s vocal—has become a recurring motif in her current body of work, lending a futuristic edge to the track’s sensual undertones.

Owusu reveals that she played around with different details to make each chorus and drop feel a little different every time. “A fun detail comes right before the second drop, where we knew we wanted something wild, like a siren or a shout,” the eclectic pop newcomer shares. “I recorded tons of whoosh sounds for the riser and experimented with different shouts. After a lot of trial and error, we landed on a scream, which felt perfect. A similar thing happened before the final drop in the last chorus. We knew we needed something unique in that moment, but we weren’t sure what. After experimenting, we decided on the word “whatever,” which adds a playful vibe and sound.”

Though anchored in personal reflection, “spark” ultimately thrives in movement. With its propulsive beats and infectious drops, Owusu hopes the song provides a moment of release: a soundtrack for letting go, even if just for a few minutes.

“spark” will be part of Jewel Owusu’s upcoming new EP, set to be released sometime this year. Late last year, she captivated audiences with the propulsive but minimalist track “Time Machine,” which features acclaimed Filipino singer-songwriter and producer ena mori. The song garnered attention from numerous music publications in Asia, including Billboard Philippines and Bandwagon Asia.