5 Things jnr. Wish They Didn't Do As A Kid

Sydney-based indie songwriter jnr.'s latest single is titled 'Cruel', a collab with indie electronic-pop artist JËVA (who adds an extra vocal verse).

The poignantly stark indie pop tones that feature hauntingly beautiful acoustic guitar strums are matched with a clean, ambient electronic melody that bedrocks the track.

'Cruel' follows jnr.'s previous 2023 release, 'I Didn't Know Myself (Before I Met You)'.

"This one is a ballad; about a break-up," declares jnr. discussing 'Cruel'. "It was written so long ago it feels like another life, but this song talks about an important time of growth for me which I'm sure I'll get into later.

"Endless love to JËVA for pushing me to finish it and giving this song a new life."



jnr. is the workings of producer and songwriter, Ben Siva. Bending the boundaries of pop in his own experimental yet digestible fashion, jnr. has been releasing a steady stream of singles since his debut 'Remember' in March 2022.

"'Cruel' is the breakup before the breakup. When the relationship has run its course, but you don't quite know how to leave because the other person hasn't done anything wrong," adds jnr.

"And the harder it is to leave, the more you end up resenting the other person. I wanted to create a melancholic soundscape and a slow build that kind of mimics the feeling of staying in that relationship for so long until you crack.

"The song was written in late 2021, so it's quite nostalgic now that it's out, and not in the best way. So I thought I'd put together my top 5 things I look back on doing as a kid and cringe."

1: Own one of those Baby Milo hoodies that zip all the way up

Look, history has shown that fashion trends return all the time, but I don't know why I ever thought this was a good idea. Everyone else at my primary school had one, so I guess I had to as well.

I did ask my mum recently for a bedazzled Ed Hardy tee that I had when I was like seven or eight – it actually goes so hard now as a tight tee.

2: Know every word to 'Low' by Flo Fida

And I still do. It was my favourite song for the whole year it was out. I still love T-Pain but that song should probably stay in the 2000s.

3: Use my mum's flip-phone to text my primary school girlfriend

I thought she'd never find out.

4: The white wine vinegar incident

I had an argument with my mum about something; I can't remember what. I thought 'she would get so mad if my 10-year-old ass got drunk'. I went to the fridge and found the first thing that said 'wine'. I'm sure you can put the rest together.

5: Ride a motorbike

A friend of mine was teaching me how to ride a motorbike. I thought he said to turn left, but he meant straight. I went left and smashed into a fence – I scar super easily and have a few still from that.