When Fifth Harmony finally announced that the four remaining members (after the departure of Camila Cabello) were going on hiatus, the world immediately began wondering what Normani, Ally Brooke, Lauren Jauregui and Dinah Jane would do now that they were on their own.
Now, all four artists have released at least a song or two under their own name, and Dinah Jane has become the latest to properly premiere her own single where she leads the charge and presents what her solo career will sound like.
“Bottled Up” is an infectious dance-pop jam that is sure to make Fifth Harmony fans happy, as it doesn’t stray too far from the material the girl group was making, though it takes the sound to the next level and imagines what the band might have recorded and released had they remained together.
I spoke with Dinah Jane about her new song, what it feels like to be striking out on her own, and what her plans are for the coming months now that she’s officially kicked things off.
Hugh McIntyre: Congrats on the single! It’s out and it’s doing its thing! How does it feel to finally have your first single as a solo artist in the lead out in the world?
Dinah Jane: It feels like a relief, honestly. I’ve been waiting for this and I’m sure my fans have, as well. I just feel like this is the perfect timing right now to drop something, because we’re in the season of new music and new artists. I wanted to roll with the punches and have people vibe with me and get to know me, because I’ve been ready. I’ve been super patient with my music and I felt like right now was when Dinah Jane was ready to step out of her comfort zone and let people know what she’s about to start.
McIntyre: You just said “new artists.” Do you feel like a new artist at this point?
Jane: I do. I feel like a new artist because I haven’t dropped anything. No one really knows me as an individual, so you know, people are stepping into who Dinah really is. Being in a group, you don’t really get to give an ounce of who you are as a solo artist. You can only give so much, so now, stepping into my own, I can give you 100% of all of me.
McIntyre: Were you at all nervous to show all of that?
Jane: I was at first, and then I grew out of that fear. Fear can always get the best of you, but if I wanted to do this, I had to step in with confidence and believe that my music is actually amazing, and whatever I create, it’s coming from my heart and there are no rights or wrongs when creating. The moment I got comfortable in the studio, I told myself, “If this is authentic to me, then I’m sure this will be something special to someone else out there.” It’s not about this song being the biggest in the world, it was just something therapeutic for myself. I started using this outlet of creativity—you know, going to the studio, writing, meeting these writers and producers—as the best form of representing myself to my fullest potential.
Yeah, now I’m here, I’m happy, I’m not scared anymore. I’m in a really good place, and I’m sure people can see that, too. With my music, I want people to feel as good as I do right now.
McIntyre: It’s definitely a feel-good song. You talk a lot about letting loose and all that. It’s also a very, I want to say, adult song, which I was surprised by. What made you go in that direction?
Jane: Like I said, I’m just stepping into my own, and you being surprised, that’s what I love because I’m reintroducing you to Dinah Jane. You thought you knew me, but now you know me more than ever and you’re gonna get to know me even more as I keep dropping these songs.
When this record came out, I wanted it to speak from my perspective of someone who bottles up their feelings—something relatable. I’m sure everybody in today’s generation, they struggle with expressing the way they feel. I thought it would be perfect to join with Marc [E. Bassy] and Ty [Dolla $ign] on this record, because I wanted them to speak on their behalf of how they bottle up their feelings. I find it so relatable and something that’s like, a feel-good vibe, and something you’d just chill with your friends with, and like, kickback. That’s what I took from it.
McIntyre: You just mentioned Ty and Marc. You got them on the song, and they’re really great. Is there somebody else you would love to work with in the future?
Jane: There’s so many great artists right now that I would love to get my hands on, but as of right now I would definitely say I’m a huge fan of…should I unveil this? I’m kidding. I love listening to Tori Kelly. I listened to her gospel album that just dropped—it sounds flawless! I love Sam Smith a lot. Yeah, honestly, I’m a huge fan of Marc E. Bassy. I’ve always been a huge fan and still to this day, so if we were to do another song together, I would be so down!
McIntyre: How long have you been sitting on this song, waiting to give it to your fans, and how long have you been working on solo material overall?
Jane: Yes, for the two-question! So first question, I have had this song for about a year now.
McIntyre: Wow.
Jane: Yeah, about a year-and-a-half almost. I remember approaching my team and they were like, “There’s so many amazing artists out there that we can get you on board with. Is there anyone that you want,” and I said, “I want Marc E. Bassy.” They made that happen. They were shocked. They were like, “Alright, let’s make it happen,” and then “Bottled Up” became what it is. I’m so glad I followed my instincts because I’ve always been a huge fan of SoundCloud artists, and that’s where I found him.
McIntyre: So you’ve had the song a year-and-a-half, but how long have you been working on solo material overall?
Jane: Solo material overall. Well, if we’re gonna be really technical about this, I started right before I got with the girls. I think I was 13 or 14, and to this day my originals are still up on my SoundCloud. I can’t really compare who I was back then to now. It’s such a huge difference, but I had an idea of where I would be and now I’m here. My music is similar, but slightly different, and I’m really, really happy with the growth that I’ve done from 13 or 15, until now.
My project is still going to this day. It’s been really smooth. I have a variety of music that I’ve created, and I’m really excited for people to actually hear.
McIntyre: You’ve had this song for a year-and-a-half or so. That means you were recording solo music while you were still part of Fifth Harmony!
Jane: For “Bottled Up,” yes. My old records, all my originals, they were right before I got into Fifth Harmony, and then I discontinued making music because I felt like my whole focus and attention had to be on my group. That’s what I did, and so I put myself on pause and I focused on my girls, and went out, toured, and we lived our best lives. Then after Fifth Harmony, or, last year, that’s when I created “Bottled Up.” It started from a jam session. It started from a jam session up in the room and I just thought, “Wow, this is actually something really special, and I think I want to release this later on when the girls and I go on a break.”
McIntyre: Do you have a timeline of when people might hear another single, or maybe there’s an album? What does the future of your solo career look like?
Jane: I just dropped “Bottled Up,” so I’m still working on that. Everyone’s loving it, boppin’ to it. I’m kind of waiting on just seeing the response of how well it continues to do, and then just might give some little surprises here and there. Just expect the unexpected, I would say. I have some surprises, so don’t worry. Just wait. It’s around the corner. Yeah, just get ready. You’re gonna have some fun with me.
