When discussing the 20 best songs of Jessie Reyez, we’re diving into one of contemporary music’s most unflinching emotional landscapes. The Toronto-born Colombian-Canadian artist has built a discography that refuses to compromise, blending R&B, soul, and Latin influences with lyrics that hit like gut punches. Her voice—raspy, powerful, and utterly distinctive—has become synonymous with brutal honesty in an industry that often prefers polish over pain.
FIGURES: The Song That Changed Everything
This is where it all exploded for Jessie Reyez, and for good reason. FIGURES distills heartbreak into its most potent form, with production that strips away everything unnecessary to let that volcanic voice take center stage. The song’s sparse instrumentation creates tension that mirrors the emotional suffocation of betrayal, while Reyez’s vocal delivery moves from wounded whispers to full-throated rage. What makes this track essential is how it captures that specific moment when sadness transforms into empowerment—you can literally hear her processing the pain in real-time, and millions of listeners found their own experiences reflected in those raw moments.
COFFIN: Confronting Mortality and Love
From her ambitious album Before Love Came to Kill Us, COFFIN showcases Reyez’s ability to tackle heavy subject matter without drowning in melodrama. The production here is more atmospheric than her earlier work, with layered vocals creating an almost haunting quality that suits the song’s meditation on death and relationships. Her lyricism reaches philosophical heights while remaining grounded in genuine emotion, discussing how we process grief and the fear of losing those we love. The mixing allows her voice to float above the instrumentation like a specter, creating this beautiful tension between presence and absence that mirrors the song’s thematic concerns.
Shutter Island: Exploring Mental Health Through Sound
Named after the psychological thriller, this track from Kiddo demonstrates Reyez’s willingness to explore mental health struggles with unflinching honesty. The production incorporates slightly disorienting elements—subtle pitch shifts and reverb effects—that mirror the song’s subject matter about feeling trapped in your own mind. What separates this from typical “sad songs” is the specificity of detail; Reyez doesn’t deal in vague melancholy but rather precise observations about anxiety and depression. When you listen on quality headphones, you catch all the nuanced vocal layering that adds depth to an already emotionally complex performance.
FOREVER: Yessie-Era Evolution
Released on her 2022 album Yessie, FOREVER represents a slight sonic shift toward more polished production while maintaining that essential Reyez rawness. The song builds gradually, starting with minimal instrumental backing before layering in drums and bass that give it radio-friendly appeal without sacrificing authenticity. Her vocal performance here is masterful—restrained when it needs to be, explosive when the moment demands it. The track showcases her growth as a songwriter, with more sophisticated melodic structures than her earlier work while still delivering the emotional knockout punch fans expect.
MUTUAL FRIEND: The Uncomfortable Truth About Rebounds
Also from Yessie, MUTUAL FRIEND tackles the messy reality of post-breakup hookups with characteristic bluntness. The production features a prominent bassline that drives the track forward with almost uncomfortable momentum, mirroring the poor decision-making the song chronicles. Reyez’s delivery here is particularly clever—she sings about self-destructive behavior with a kind of dark humor that makes the medicine go down easier. It’s this ability to find levity in pain without diminishing it that makes her songwriting so compelling and relatable.
Apple Juice: The Breakthrough Anthem
From the Being Human in Public EP, Apple Juice captures youthful frustration and desire with infectious energy. The production is brighter here, with Caribbean rhythmic influences that give it undeniable groove while Reyez’s vocals maintain their signature edge. This track showcased her versatility—proving she could create songs that work in party playlists without compromising her artistic identity. The mixing is particularly impressive, balancing her powerful voice with layered production elements that create fullness without muddiness.
Lo Intenté Todo: Bilingual Heartbreak
Sung entirely in Spanish, Lo Intenté Todo (I Tried Everything) connects Reyez to her Colombian heritage while expanding her artistic palette. The song’s Latin production elements feel authentic rather than trendy, incorporating traditional instrumentation with contemporary R&B sensibilities. Her Spanish-language delivery carries the same emotional weight as her English work, proving that her ability to convey raw feeling transcends language barriers. This track is essential for understanding Reyez as a complete artist rather than just an anglophone success story.
DO YOU LOVE HER: The Question That Haunts
One of the most gut-wrenching tracks from Before Love Came to Kill Us, DO YOU LOVE HER strips away production flourishes to let the central question hang in the air like smoke. The minimal instrumentation—primarily piano and subtle strings—creates space for Reyez’s voice to carry the full emotional weight. What makes this track devastating is the vulnerability; there’s no anger here, just the raw pain of knowing you’re being replaced. The vocal performance is so intimate it feels voyeuristic, like reading someone’s diary without permission.
Body Count: Challenging Double Standards
Body Count arrived like a Molotov cocktail thrown at societal hypocrisy around sexuality and gender expectations. The production features aggressive trap-influenced beats that give Reyez’s message the sonic muscle it deserves, while her delivery shifts between sung verses and spoken-word sections that feel like direct confrontation. This song sparked genuine conversation about sexual double standards, proving that pop music can still provoke thought while remaining sonically engaging. The way she structures the narrative—building from personal experience to broader social commentary—demonstrates sophisticated songwriting craft.
KILL US: Album Title Track Excellence
The title track from her debut album, KILL US explores the paradox of love’s destructive and life-giving nature. The production here is lush compared to her earlier work, with strings and atmospheric synths creating cinematic scope while maintaining intimacy through vocal production choices. Reyez’s performance navigates complex emotional territory—simultaneously celebrating love’s intensity while acknowledging its potential for devastation. The song’s structure takes listeners on a journey, with dynamics that mirror the ups and downs of intense relationships.
Great One: Early Brilliance
From the Kiddo EP that introduced many to Reyez’s talent, Great One showcases the raw potential that would later be refined into mastery. The production is intentionally rough around the edges, giving the track garage-band authenticity that complements her unpolished emotional delivery. What’s remarkable listening to this now is hearing the foundations of her signature sound—that combination of vulnerability and strength, softness and grit—already fully formed even in her early work.
LOVE IN THE DARK: Romantic Contradictions
Another standout from Before Love Came to Kill Us, LOVE IN THE DARK explores the tension between desire and doubt in relationships. The production creates moody atmosphere through minor-key melodies and reverb-heavy mixing that makes everything feel nocturnal and slightly dangerous. Reyez’s vocal approach here leans into the sensual side of her range, proving she can convey intimacy as effectively as anger. The song builds to a climax that feels both musically and emotionally satisfying.
FRAUD: Calling Out Inauthenticity
Released as a standalone single in 2022, FRAUD finds Reyez in confrontational mode, calling out fake people and phony industry types. The production features hard-hitting drums and bass that give her words maximum impact, while her delivery alternates between melodic singing and more aggressive vocal techniques. This track works brilliantly in the car with the bass turned up, where you can feel the production’s weight in your chest. It’s a reminder that Reyez never forgot her roots or lost her edge despite increasing mainstream success.
SHUT UP: Latest Fire
From her 2025 release PAID IN MEMORIES, this track shows Reyez continuing to push boundaries and refuse to be boxed in. The censored title alone signals that she’s not interested in playing it safe, and the song delivers on that promise with production that incorporates contemporary trends without feeling trend-chasing. Her vocal performance remains the centerpiece, with the production built around showcasing her voice rather than burying it in layers. This is Jessie Reyez firmly in her power, making exactly the music she wants on her own terms.
NO ONE’S IN THE ROOM: Intimate Confession
This Before Love Came to Kill Us deep cut deserves more recognition for its achingly beautiful vulnerability. The production is minimal to the point of sparse—mostly just keys and subtle atmospheric elements—creating the sensation of eavesdropping on a private moment. Reyez’s vocal delivery here is breathy and intimate, mixed close to make listeners feel like she’s singing directly into their ears. It’s the kind of song that demands headphones and solitude to fully appreciate its delicate emotional architecture.
Rain: Soundtrack Success
Featured in The Suicide Squad soundtrack, Rain demonstrates Reyez’s ability to craft songs for specific contexts while maintaining her artistic identity. The production incorporates cinematic elements appropriate for a film placement while still sounding unmistakably like a Jessie Reyez track. Her vocal performance captures melancholy and resilience simultaneously, fitting the film’s themes while standing alone as a powerful piece of music. This crossover success introduced her to audiences who might not typically seek out her solo work.
Gatekeeper: Industry Commentary
Another gem from the Kiddo EP, Gatekeeper calls out the music industry’s power dynamics and exploitation with biting precision. The production is deliberately understated, letting the lyrics take center stage as Reyez recounts real experiences with industry gatekeepers who tried to leverage their positions. This song resonates particularly strongly with anyone who’s dealt with workplace power imbalances, making it more universally relatable than its specific industry focus might suggest. Her delivery drips with controlled anger that’s more effective than screaming.
Fuck Being Friends: No Ambiguity Here
The title says it all—this is Reyez at her most direct, addressing the complicated feelings that arise when friendship becomes something else. The production on this Being Human in Public track features driving rhythms that mirror the urgency of desire, while her vocals convey both frustration and longing. What makes the song work is the honesty; she’s not trying to dress up messy feelings in pretty metaphors but rather presenting them exactly as they are. When listening through quality earbuds, you catch all the subtle vocal inflections that add layers to what might seem like a straightforward sentiment.
Perfect: Recent Reflection
Released as a single in 2023, Perfect finds Reyez in more reflective mode, examining the impossibility of perfection in relationships and self-image. The production is more polished than her earliest work, with sophisticated layering and mixing that creates depth without losing clarity. Her vocal performance here shows technical growth—more control and nuance—while maintaining the emotional authenticity that’s always been her superpower. This track suggests an artist continuing to evolve while staying true to her core identity.
JEANS: Hot Bedroom Music Era
From her 2025 project Hot Bedroom Music, this track shows Reyez exploring more sensual territory without losing her edge. The production leans into R&B traditions with smooth bass lines and sultry rhythms, while her vocals embrace a seductive quality that’s been present but less emphasized in earlier work. What prevents this from feeling like a departure is the continued honesty in her approach—she sings about desire with the same unflinching directness she’s always brought to pain and anger. The song demonstrates artistic range while maintaining the authenticity that defines her catalog.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jessie Reyez’s most successful song?
FIGURES remains Jessie Reyez’s breakthrough hit and most commercially successful track, earning platinum certifications and introducing millions to her distinctive voice and raw emotional style. The song’s success stemmed from its viral spread on social media and streaming platforms, where listeners connected deeply with its honest portrayal of heartbreak and betrayal. Beyond commercial metrics, FIGURES established the template for Reyez’s career—uncompromising honesty delivered through powerful vocal performance.
What genre of music does Jessie Reyez make?
Jessie Reyez primarily creates R&B and soul music with significant Latin influences reflecting her Colombian heritage, though her sound resists easy categorization. Her production incorporates elements of pop, hip-hop, and alternative music depending on the specific track, creating a distinctive sonic signature that prioritizes emotional authenticity over genre conventions. This genre-fluid approach has allowed her to collaborate across different musical worlds while maintaining her artistic identity.
Has Jessie Reyez won any major music awards?
Jessie Reyez has received multiple Juno Award nominations and won the Juno for Breakthrough Artist, alongside Grammy nominations that recognize her impact on contemporary music. Beyond awards, she’s earned critical acclaim for her songwriting and vocal performances, with industry recognition from organizations including the ASCAP and SOCAN. Her influence extends beyond awards to her impact on allowing greater emotional vulnerability in mainstream pop and R&B.
What language does Jessie Reyez sing in?
Jessie Reyez sings primarily in English across most of her discography, but she also creates Spanish-language music that connects to her Colombian heritage, including tracks like Lo Intenté Todo. Her bilingual capabilities allow her to reach different audiences while expressing herself fully in both languages. The emotional intensity of her music transcends language barriers, with fans worldwide connecting to her honest delivery regardless of which language she’s using.
What is Jessie Reyez’s vocal range and style?
Jessie Reyez possesses a distinctive raspy alto voice with remarkable power and control, capable of moving from vulnerable whispers to full-throated belting within a single song. Her vocal style emphasizes raw emotion over technical perfection, though she’s demonstrated increasing sophistication in her control and phrasing across her discography. This combination of technical ability and emotional authenticity creates her signature sound—instantly recognizable and impossible to imitate convincingly.
What albums has Jessie Reyez released?
Jessie Reyez’s major releases include the Kiddo EP (2017), Being Human in Public EP (2018), her debut album Before Love Came to Kill Us (2020), the Yessie album (2022), and recent 2025 projects PAID IN MEMORIES and Hot Bedroom Music. Each release has shown artistic evolution while maintaining her core identity, with her debut album particularly representing a complete artistic statement. Her EP releases remain important in her catalog for containing some of her most beloved and impactful songs.