inQUIZitive: Jael

Jael has spent the past year introducing the world to an artist whose music is built around emotional truth. Raised in Melbourne in a household shaped by gospel, soul and Congolese influences, Jael grew up surrounded by music, with her father - who taught himself piano in Congo before rebuilding his life in Australia - playing an important role in her own musical journey.

After introducing herself with 'Prisoner Of Love', Jael released her debut EP 'Mama Says' via Capitol Records in August 2026. Across five tracks, the project explores love, heartbreak, grief, self-reflection and the lessons passed down through family, with Jael's powerful yet restrained vocals remaining firmly at the centre.

The rising star recently returned with 'The Air Belongs To Us', a bonus track added to the world of 'Mama Says'. Written from a place of emotional exhaustion and vulnerability, the track captures the fragile space between holding onto a relationship and recognising when it has reached its limit.

Beyond the studio, Jael is entering an exciting new phase as a live artist. Following her debut performance at All Points East, she's preparing to take her music internationally as she joins Cat Burns on her Australian tour this October.

For the latest edition of inQUIZitive, we caught up with Jael to explore the making of 'Mama Says', finding her voice, the influence of family and heritage, emotional honesty and the next chapter of her journey.

You've just released your debut EP 'Mama Says', which feels like a very personal introduction to who you are as an artist. Now that it's out in the world, what does this project mean to you, and what do you feel you've learned about yourself through making it?

"It means everything to me - I'm so happy it’s out for everyone to listen to. I feel like through this I’m starting to learn so much about myself and how I relate to music. I’m also starting to really work out my sound and what my fans are starting to love"

The title 'Mama Says' comes from the advice and lessons passed down through generations, particularly around love and relationships. How has your mum's influence shaped the way you understand love, life and the person you're becoming?

"My mum’s influence has shaped me into the person I am today - growing up in our crazy family with 3 siblings, I would always look at my mum and how she carried herself and loved others so unconditionally. I was like “that’s a wise woman I want to be like her”. We have a very special bond" 

Your music places so much emphasis on your voice and lyrics, rather than heavy production. What is it about simplicity and restraint that allows you to communicate emotion in the way you want to?

"I think at times not having too much going on in a song makes people actually feel a more personal connection to the lyrics and it feels more intimate. Don’t get me wrong I love a song with insane production but for my first EP I wanted my fans to get to know me through my voice and lyrics and really feel connected to my music"

Your latest track, 'The Air Belongs To Us', explores the moment when you know a relationship has reached its limit, even when part of you is still holding on. Why do you think those complicated, emotionally uncomfortable moments are so powerful to write about?

"I think it’s so beautiful to write about real life scenarios that people can relate to - whether it’s about a love relationship or not I feel like most people can relate to reaching the end of their limits with something and someone and it is complicated and emotionally uncomfortable but it’s also very real"

You've spoken about Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys, Adele and Jorja Smith as influences, while your upbringing exposed you to gospel, soul and Congolese music. How do you bring all of those different influences together while still making music that feels unmistakably like Jael?

"I gravitate to those artists because they have such individual and organic talent and that’s something I appreciate and try to implement it into my own music. I think inspiration comes from so many different artists and life experiences but the thing I want to really focus on is finding a sound that people know is mine"

Your father taught himself piano in Congo before rebuilding his life in Australia, and now creates music alongside you. How important is that connection to your family and heritage in understanding where your own relationship with music comes from?

"It’s so important! I’m actually going to Congo for the first time next January and I couldn’t be more excited to get more inspiration from my roots - especially knowing how musical Congo is. My father is a wonderful influence and has been such an important part of my musical journey!"

You've recently made the transition from creating music to performing it in front of audiences, including your debut live show at All Points East. What did that first experience of performing your own music live teach you about yourself as an artist?

"It taught me that it’s almost like your auditioning for the audience… in a way to allow them to choose if they want to be a fan of mine - so you can’t hold back especially at festivals! All Points East was my first festival and it was incredible. Knowing that people walked away from my set and followed me was such an incredible feeling"

You're now preparing to take this music internationally with Cat Burns' Australian tour. As you look at everything that's happened since 'Prisoner Of Love', what does the next version of Jael look and sound like?

"The next chapter is just building on this incredible first 6 months - new music, lots of touring and I think I’m really looking forward to building on my sounds and bringing a lot of energy to my performances"

First song you ever wrote?

My first song was  “I love you Jesus” - I still know it! 

First time you remember knowing music was something you wanted to pursue seriously?

I saw my mum leading worship as a 4 yr old (also the age I wrote my first song) and that was the moment I knew I was going to be a singer - I have never stopped believing that this is what I am meant to be doing.

First artist who made you realise the power of using your voice and lyrics to tell a story?

Adele - and I still absolutely love her. I got to play the piano where she wrote some of her songs and it was such an incredible moment for me.

First opportunity that made you think, "I could actually do this"?

I won my first local singing competition at 9 years old and everything snowballed from that moment. I just really had the belief that this was what I was meant to be doing.

From writing her first song at four years old to releasing her debut EP and stepping onto the stage at All Points East, Jael's journey has always been guided by a belief that music is where she's meant to be. With 'Mama Says', she has introduced the world to the foundations of that journey - a project rooted in family, vulnerability, love and the lessons that shape us.

Now, with 'The Air Belongs To Us' extending that story and an Australian tour with Cat Burns on the horizon, Jael is entering a new chapter with the same emotional honesty that brought her here.

As she continues to find her sound, build her live presence and reconnect with her Congolese roots, one thing remains clear: Jael is only just beginning.