BEYOND THE NOTES
Cover art by Noa Sunshine
June 4, 2025 | Shreya Varma
WESTWOOD, CA — June 4, 2025 — If you’re searching for a single that captures the feeling of being the main character in a coming-of-age film, look no further. jordan cierra returns with “i used to leave the light off,” a slow-burning synth track that reflects on the uncertainty of growing up and the nostalgia for the courage we once had as children.
“The song is about [being more fearless as a kid],” Cierra shares. “I used the allegory of sleeping with the light off, [as opposed to] not having to use a nightlight because [I wasn’t] afraid of the dark. And now that I’m older, I’m afraid of these things that I didn’t used to be scared of [such as] being unafraid to be perceived or love other people wildly.”
Initially written in 2023 during her sophomore year at UCLA, the track emerged during a particularly challenging period in her life. The singer-songwriter reflected on her journey of stepping away from toxic friendships and finding the strength to make space for people who fulfill her. “i used to leave the light off” channels that turning point, bridging the once childlike sense of optimism and emotional honesty with the emotional complexity of young adulthood. The track reconnects her to her inner child, allowing her to find optimism in life once again.
Layered with steady drum beats, swelling trumpets, and lush strings, the production builds something otherworldly. The instrumentation, combined with Cierra’s vocals, creates a moment of stillness that invites listeners to find peace within themselves.
The final track on her upcoming debut EP, “i used to leave the light off,” felt like the natural title for the whole project. It ends on a note of quiet hope. The song opens simply with just Cierra and synth. Still, it grows in layers and complexity as it unfolds, once again reminding listeners to maintain that vivid perspective we have as children, looking at all that life has to offer us.
“I hope that it inspires people to get out of toxic [situations],” Cierra adds, “[I hope] it inspires people who are in the middle of their healing journey just to keep going, to know that something better is coming because it always is.”
Existential yet soothing, the track encapsulates the uncertainty of the world as we transition from childhood to adulthood. However scary that may be, “i used to leave the light off” will have listeners feeling hopeful about all that the world has to offer.
jordan cierra’s “i used to leave the light off” will be available June 6, 2025, on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music.
Let go. Live bravely. And press play.
About Jordan Cierra:
A Los Angeles native, rising star jordan cierra is a singer-songwriter and storyteller at heart. As a fourth-year psychology major and music industry minor at UCLA, she blends introspection with relatability. Following her creative instincts, she draws inspiration from early 2000s pop-rock and nostalgic beats of the 2010s. No matter the gut-wrenching ballad, pop-rock track, or moody electronic beat, it’s the honesty and emotional depth that defines her music. The kind of emotional insight that makes you laugh, cry, or scream at the top of your lungs. Her ability to move between genres while staying true to her voice keeps listeners hooked, making jordan cierra the artist to watch in the indie-pop scene.
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