Jump the Gun is the highly anticipated first single from Lola Wild’s forthcoming EP Lost Signal. This single is a slow-burning ballad drenched in the melancholy of heartbreak and unmet expectations, wrapped in the shimmering aesthetic of 80s production with a modern twist.
Written by Lola Wild and produced by Jim Wallis (Still Corners, Modern Nature), Jump the Gun was brought to life at the legendary Strongroom Studios in Shoreditch, London. The song is a bittersweet, nostalgic trip, produced with a retrospective touch that’s both dreamlike and haunting, wrapped in a melancholy haze that echoes heartbreak and regret. With layers of warm reverb, the track feels like it’s playing from a distant past, as if Lola is singing her confession into an empty, neon-lit room.
“Jump the Gun” is a slow-burning ballad with a unique mix of ’80s production and modern influences. Can you tell us about how you blended these elements in the song?
I’ve always been drawn to the depth and drama of ’80s production .. all the nostalgic elements of that era – reverb soaked drums, dramatic synths..but I also wanted to bring a more intimate, modern touch to the song and make it more confessional. I guess thats what gave it that contrast between the retro sounds and the vulnerability of something more stripped back.. A balance of past and present.
This song was produced by Jim Wallis at the legendary Strongroom Studios in London. How did the studio environment and the collaboration with Jim impact the final sound of the track?
Working with Jim is always a breeze, he’s just got this natural way of knowing exactly where a song needs to go without forcing it. We had a good play around with different sounds, layering those big, dreamy ‘80s textures while still keeping it real and close. The studio itself , which was covered in velvet walls definitely added that cinematic edge
Lyrically, “Jump the Gun” is an intimate exploration of insecurity and impulsivity. Can you dive deeper into the personal experiences that shaped these lyrics?
t’s all about that feeling of second guessing yourself, overthinking things, but at the same time, diving in headfirst before you’ve really thought it through. I’ve always been someone who acts on instinct, for better or worse, and this song came from that push and pull.. wanting something so badly but not knowing if you’re just setting yourself up for a fall.
The song gives off a melancholic, nostalgic vibe. What was the inspiration behind creating such a haunting atmosphere in the production of the track?
I’ve always been drawn to that kind of bittersweet, nostalgic feel in music but at the time I was fixated on songs like “Eyes Without a Face” by Billy Idol, and the dramatic hard hitting drums with Billy’s vocal performance in this song is so powerful and mind bending. With Jump the Gun, I wanted it to feel cinematic but still really personal. We used a lot of space in the production.. airy synths, the reverb-drenched drums and backing vocals to give it that haunting, almost dreamlike atmosphere. But at the heart of it, it’s still a really intimate song.
You mentioned that “Jump the Gun” explores both a tumultuous relationship and internal self-reflection. Was this dual interpretation something you aimed for from the beginning, or did it evolve during the writing process?
It sort of just happened naturally to be honest. When I first started writing Jump the Gun, it felt like it was about a relationship, about that back and forth, never quite being on the same page. But the more I sat with it, the more I realised it was just as much about me, about my own doubts and how sometimes you can be your own worst enemy. I think that dual meaning came through as the song took shape
How do you balance introspection and vulnerability in your songwriting, especially when writing about personal experiences like heartbreak or self-doubt?
For me songwriting’s always been a way of making sense of things, so the introspection just comes naturally. When you’re writing about something personal.. Like heartbreak, self-doubt, all that stuff.. it can feel a bit exposing, but at the same time, there’s something freeing about putting it into words. I try not to overthink it too much though, if it feels honest, then I know I’m on the right track. With Jump the Gun, it were about striking that balance between being open but not wallowing haha.. There’s a strength in vulnerability, and I think that’s what makes a song really connect with people.. it’s that feeling of ‘Aye, I’ve been there too’
As an artist emerging from the vibrant Hackney music scene, how has the London music culture influenced your sound and creative approach?
London’s definitely had a big influence on me, especially being in Hackney..there’s just so much going on. It keeps you on your toes, and I think that’s pushed me to be a bit braver with my music, to not be afraid of experimenting with my sound, lyrics and aesthetic.
Your background as a former showgirl dancer adds a unique dimension to your artistry. How does that experience influence your music production and performance style today?
I think it’s shaped the way I approach music more than I realised at first. There’s a real art to storytelling through movement, through the way you hold yourself on stage, and that’s something I’ve carried into my performances now. With Jump the Gun in particular, there’s this slow-burning cinematic drama to it, and I think that comes from my love of performance..the idea that a song isn’t just something you hear, but something you feel. It’s about creating a world for people to step into, whether that’s through the music, the atmosphere, or the way it’s performed live.
Lyrically, you sing about overthinking and the anxiety of waiting for things to go wrong. How do you personally manage those feelings, and do they ever influence your creative process?
The fine art of overthinking.. my oldest companion. But in a way, there’s some beauty in that I have my music, which gives those thoughts somewhere to go, rather than just rattling around in my head. There’s something cathartic about putting all that chaos into a song, wrapping it up in melody and letting it live outside of yourself for a bit.
With the release of “Jump the Gun,” you’re giving listeners a preview of your upcoming EPLost Signal. Can you share any details about what themes or sounds we can expect on the full EP?
The theme in Lost Signal is all about memories that have faded at the edges. The sound’s got a hazy, cinematic feel to it, a bit melancholic, but there’s movement too. And just when you think you’re lost in the fog. Sonically theres a bit of everything in there..a folk-style ballad with some lovely pedal steel, a bit of a Latin feel on another, and even a pop track just to give you a bit of a dopamine hit after all that sonic reflection haha. It’s an amalgamation of sounds for sure, but it all feeds into the same theme. It’s like flicking through different radio stations or channels, each song its own little world, but all part of the same journey.
