Entering 2026 with a polished artistic identity, Jessie Altman has entered a new era with the release of her luminous new EP, “Sleepwalking”. Her new artist name paints her evolved sound and storytelling within her work. With a variety of delicate themes throughout the four tracks, the EP is her most intimate work to date and her first complete record as Jessie.
With her delivery of her new EP, listeners can expect to feel themselves drifting through life on autopilot which is best reflected on the title track, following what Jessie experienced while working on the project. The combination of themes and illusions in each of the four songs evokes a variety of emotions that bring back Jessie’s personal encounters with what is considered reality.
Coming from a legal background where she was once guarded and now as a singer and performer she has brought down her walls and opened up into becoming Jessie.
The Knockturnal sat down with Jessie where she shared her progression as an artist and the meaning and representation of this new chapter and era within her career and personal life.
She expressed her excitement with the release of her project, and no nerves as she is ready to share more of who Jessie is and what she has to bring. Previously working on projects like “Fake It’ and “Aftermath”, she shared more about working with previous collaborators.
Jessie worked alongside Grammy-winning producer Jason Lehning and collaborated with songwriters such as Latifah Alattas and Palmer Lee.
The singer expressed how much she enjoyed working in the studio with familiar faces and how working with a programmer was different from working with a band.
The best way for a songwriting session to start for Jessie is by coming in with a bunch of ideas knowing what she has to say but with the goal of everyone in the room feeling a level of connection and inspiration to the songwriting and process.
With the use of her confessional songwriting and combination of dreamline and soft vocals on “Trick of the Light” and “Mirror Mirror” she has earned immense recognition and airplay on SiriusXM’s Velvet Channel.
As a rising pop artist she has toured alongside English pop group BBMAK, who are a multi-platinum selling group as well with Tyler Hilton.
With touring and performing opportunities, Jessie shared how the audiences care most about how her music makes them feel, not the reason behind the song.
Jessie loves performing live and interacting with fans after a show, especially those who have similar experiences like going from law into becoming a musician or artist. Moments like this allow Jessie to share her journey through different moments of her life with similar people out there, finding that connection with her.
Being authentic and putting out work with the goal of connecting with the world of listeners, is what Jessie finds most rewarding about her craft.
Not only is she a rising pop singer but is also a fashion it girl. She has a presence in fashion and is considered a regular at New York Fashion Week and Paris Couture Week. If you haven’t yet caught her on stage, potentially you have caught her front row during some shows.
She has attended front row at Schiaparelli, Jean Paul Gaultier, Stéphane Rolland, and Giorgio Armani Privé. Jessie even debuted walking in the Vivienne Westwood’s Bridal Show in Barcelona in 2025.
She provided exclusive information in the interview, including the meanings and backstories of the EP’s tracks as well as the lessons she learned from each event. Following up on things on her bucket list and artists and producers she would love to collaborate with in the future.
Jessie has revealed that there are big announcements and plans for this year, and the EP “Sleepwalking” is currently available.
Photo Courtesy: (EP Cover: Sleepwalking)
The metaphor of sleepwalking for Jessie means to always be aware and find the parts of your life that are going to make you happy, so you can be present as possible and not wish for time to go by faster.
So what do you say? Jessie is here to ground us with her craft and storytelling, so let’s stay in the present moment and listen to her music, and remember to not sleepwalk!
