Willem James Cowan’s new single, “Jam Jar,” is a raw, visceral anthem about self-reflection, the fallout of emotional mistakes, and the deep, spiraling thoughts that often follow. The track captures the feeling of being stuck in a loop of self-doubt and regret, all wrapped up in a striking folk-rock sound.
Inspired by a fight with his then-girlfriend, “Jam Jar” finds Cowan reflecting on a moment of fault while trying to understand things from the other person’s perspective. “We were out at a party, and I was at fault. While we were on our way home on the Toronto streetcar, I was trying to imagine things from her shoes—buried in a grave I designed,” says Cowan. The song’s narrative feels as personal as it does universal, touching on themes of vulnerability, guilt, and the struggle of owning up to one’s mistakes.
The title “Jam Jar” holds its own significance, referencing a lyric in the first verse: “My empty head now weighs a ton, I should really sell it to someone floating inside a jam jar.” Cowan describes it as “a little self-pitying, a little cynical, maybe. It’s about being tired of screwing up and letting someone down.” Initially titled “Bell Jar,” the final title serves to distance the song from a Sylvia Plath homage while still evoking feelings of entrapment.
The track’s production offers a stark contrast to Cowan’s usual style, blending his developed folk-rock sound with his more recent experimentations in electronic sounds. “This song kind of asked to just be a straight-up folk-rock song,” says Cowan. “Sometimes the best choice is the easiest one.” The bridge of the song, in particular, takes on a feeling of isolation, mimicking the spiraling thoughts of someone grappling with regret, before it blends back into the rest of the track, providing a sense of emotional resolution.
A standout lyric for Cowan comes from the line: “Too late to toss out all the vulgar things I wrote down. They stained the table underneath.” He explains, “I like the imagery of it, and I think it’s a pretty straightforward metaphor that people can likely relate to.”
“Jam Jar” is a striking addition to Cowan’s growing catalog, drawing upon his core themes of anxiety, relationships, and mental health. His songs often explore the balance between emotional vulnerability and the upbeat, punchy tempos that characterize some of his favourite tracks from the records he loves.
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