Indie‑Pop Bite Meets Retro Shine in a Fearless Debut

Release Date: 6 February 2026 Genre: Confessional Pop / Empowering Pop

UK singer‑songwriter Jolene Jones steps out with her debut single “Loyalty’s a Joke”, a sharp‑tongued, emotionally charged pop track that blends vulnerability with a proper bit of bite. It’s a confident first move – the sort of debut that makes you think, aye, she’s got summat here.

The track opens with a bright, indie‑leaning electric guitar lick, the kind that instantly pulls you in with a hint of nostalgia. Before you’ve settled into that groove, an electronic drum beat snaps into place and Jones drops the title line – “loyalty is a joke” – delivered in a raw, almost spoken‑word style that gives the whole thing a modern, indie‑pop edge.

Her vocals carry that unpolished honesty you only get from someone writing straight from the gut. There’s a real sense of someone telling their story without dressing it up, and it works beautifully.

The chorus is wordy, melodic, and full of bite, with guitar and keyboard chords lifting the energy. Jones leans into the sting of betrayal with lines like: “Where was your loyalty? Oh, it’s just a joke, Taking sides with strangers, while I’m the one who choked.”

It’s the kind of hook that sticks – not just because it’s catchy, but because it feels lived‑in.

Verse two shifts gears entirely, slipping into a fast‑paced, almost rap‑like delivery. It’s sharp, self‑aware, and shows Jones isn’t afraid to play with structure or push her sound into unexpected corners.

After the second chorus, everything drops into a piano‑led bridge, soft and reflective, before the track kicks back up into a more upbeat third verse. It’s a clever bit of pacing – that moment of quiet makes the final lift hit even harder. The song closes with a double chorus and a return to the opening guitar lick, tying the whole thing together neatly.

Musically, “Loyalty’s a Joke” sits somewhere between the retro shimmer of ABBA and Bee Gees, and the modern, tongue‑in‑cheek cool of Wet Leg – but Jones isn’t copying anyone. She’s carving out her own lane, blending confessional storytelling with a bold, DIY pop sensibility.

What makes this debut stand out is the story behind it. With a background in womenswear design for brands like Topshop and Urban Outfitters, and no formal vocal training, Jones approaches music with a fearless, all‑in attitude. As she puts it herself: “I honestly thought these lyrics would live in my Notes app forever… but I decided to let go of perfect, trust the process, and just record it.”

That spirit – raw, honest, and unapologetically human – is exactly what gives “Loyalty’s a Joke” its spark.

A strong debut from an artist who’s clearly got more to say – and the guts to say it her own way.

Listen to the single here:

https://open.spotify.com/track/4sEiPXF5kSHRkz5zz3kdm8?si=8f9d2be9179547e0