A dynamic nostalgic. With jessa’s new single, “TUFF,” you get everything you want in a song: electro R&B synths, indie-pop heartache, and Lizzie McGuire.

When talking about her creative process, jessa says that she doesn’t like “suits in the stu” and thrives as a “free agent, fully independent.” She beams, mentioning her adored friend, Raffella, as we chatted about their collaboration in the creation of “TUFF,” which was made alongside Minnesota native Jake Luppen, and its gloriously saturated 90s music video, which was shot, edited, and directed by Raffaella.

In the music video we see jessa, frolicking around the Mall of America video-taped by an iPhone. No spoilers, but the video leaves viewers with a severely wholesome visual experience though a vibrant, youthful, Y2K lense; the perfect addition to the already cathartic release. The Bronx-bred creative makes it clear that a real coming-of-age is exploring a reality that isn’t picture perfect. A glowing ode to friendship, jessa reveals that she hasn’t really worked with Raff since “high school choir, and that was just because that’s the elective we took.” jessa is looking forward to more musical collabs, and I am looking forward to hearing them. Currently feeling extremely lucky to have happened upon her music, it’s a gift.

“This is the first real thing Raff and I have done together and it’s very special to me, and the way it happened was very special. I’m very excited to let it live outside of us,” jessa said.

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