We’ve all been in love for the first time. Sometimes it comes in waves, and other times, it’s like it hits you in the face in the best way possible. Pop duo Jake & Shelby capture those first crushes, first loves and even first heartbreaks. On their latest single, “You Don’t Know,” the two explore the awkwardness and butterflies of a blossoming, new romance, finally finding it in their hearts to trust again.
The young singer-songwriter duo emerged in early 2022, fresh-faced with a mesmerizing pop sound and heartfelt lyrics that quickly gained a massive following on social media, particularly TikTok and Instagram. The two initially met at Cedarstone School of Music in Hendersonville, Tennessee, which offered weekly lessons and opportunities for bands to audition. The two met in a cover band, and according to Jake, “we were both pretty shy and didn’t talk that much at first.” It wasn’t until Jake’s father, who was also a teacher at Cedarstone, prompted him to start writing with Shelby.
“We ended up writing together for about a year, and then we were like, ‘Hey, let’s make this a real thing,'” Jake said. “We started posting on Instagram, and it kind of grew from there into what we’re doing now.”
However, Jake & Shelby’s journey with social media is ever-changing, they tell me over Zoom, as the internet is rapidly expanding and changing. After their cover of Michael Bublé’s “Sway” went viral, Bublé and The Kardashians reached out to the pair, who say that social media provided them a community to share their soulful and emotive music.
“It’s really helped us connect with people and let them follow our journey,” Shelby said. “We’re still posting and staying active, and we’re just really grateful for that community.”
Described as a “sprightly” new single, “You Don’t Know,” draws from the duo’s feelings that come from having a crush on someone. Featuring a slight shyness and hesitance, the song’s propulsive percussion drives the entire song and sends you back to your first crush. With youthful energy, “You Don’t Know” is the perfect soundtrack for a summer fling.
“‘You Don’t Know’ is just meant to be fun — something that makes you smile,” Jake said. “We really wanted it to be a summer song. Something light and happy.”
The song, which is built around synths and drums rather than the typical guitar-led sound, is about how you can feel so awkward around your crush, and how consuming it can be.
They’ve described the epitome of the song as, “It feels like all you can do is think about that person. But the funny part is that they don’t even know.”
This new era of music has been redefining for the duo, who have dived heavily into the indie pop sound, after the EP Just Us (2024) allowed their relatability to truly shine. Through their crunchy guitars, haunting piano and vocal harmony with Jake’s powerful harmonic abilities melding with Shelby’s jazz-tinged vocals, Shelby said “Loophole” was all about being able to “try something new — not a huge departure, but just something that felt like growth.”
“We really wanted to write something that had that same kind of emotional desperation,” she continued. “We ended up on the topic of how hard it is to go into a new relationship after being in unhealthy or toxic ones. Even when someone new is being really kind, you’re kind of just waiting for the ‘loophole,’ like the moment it’ll all fall apart.”
For most, trust can be difficult after you get your heart broken, or even start something up again after pulling away. The new song, inspired by Gracie Abrams‘ The Secret of Us era, particularly the hit single, “Risk,” perfectly captures the scary but special feeling of opening yourself up to love again. For Jake & Shelby, this was all about “pushing past those doubts and being ready to try again.” Between inspiration from Abrams, John Mayer and Phoebe Bridgers, Jake & Shelby wanted to bring this energy and these vibes into their next project, in what Jake calls “the candy on top.”
Left in the dust, Jake & Shelby try to convince themselves they’re not emotionally affected, while clearly being very affected on “You Don’t Know.” It’s really just about having a crush, feeling awkward around them, but they don’t even know you like them. A slight departure from “Loophole,” the latest song is an acoustic pop track that feels organized.
On it, Shelby sings, “I think about you when I’m sleeping / When I can’t even think at all / I tell myself it’s no big deal / That feelings always come and go.”
While it leans into the fun and the butterflies that come with a crush, “You Don’t Know” continues to see the two face their nerves head-on, but they’re ready for something, or rather, someone again. But what would be moving on without a little bit of butterflies?
Jake & Shelby are adamantly pushing through those doubts on “Loophole,” a song that captures that feeling of opening up again, as well as what happens when you can’t find the loophole in someone, even if you try and slowly feel ready to love again. They have to deal with emotional walls and hesitation to fully trust again. They sing, “I think I’m done being cynical / Mastered the art of the push & pull.”
As Jake & Shelby expand their musical style, diving into love and all that comes with it, the duo showcases their emotional indie pop sound. Whether you’ve been in love once or twice, you’ve got that one crush or you’re taken back to the start of meeting that special someone, their relatability and charismatic storytelling shine on their latest projects.
Keep up with Jake & Shelby: Instagram // Spotify // X // TikTok // Facebook // Website
