In an era when artists often stick to one lane, Jordyn Sugar is carving out her own. The Montreal-based singer-drummer is equally at home behind the kit as she is behind the mic, merging rhythm and melody into a pop sound that’s as vulnerable as it is powerful. With her latest single “Ghost,” out now, she proves herself not only a performer but a storyteller for a generation still figuring out how to process silence in a hyper-connected world.
“I’ve been through it, and I know so many others have too,” Jordyn says of the phenomenon behind her song. “‘Ghost’ is the first track I’ve created that asks a direct question to the audience: ‘Why’d you have to ghost on me?’” For Jordyn, music is less about wallowing in heartbreak and more about capturing the spiraling thoughts we often leave unspoken. “This is like a conversation with the listener. Your feelings are valid, and it’s okay to be confused without having all the answers.”
Born in Toronto and raised in Montreal, Jordyn has spent the past few years honing a style she calls Empowered Pop™. Her early single “Leaves Me” in 2021 introduced her mission to push back against unrealistic beauty standards and celebrate imperfection. Opening slots for Gloria Gaynor, CeeLo Green, and Kardinal Offishall have put her in front of thousands, but Jordyn insists her real breakthrough comes from connection. “I want my music to be the kind of place people turn to when they feel unseen,” she says.
That drive is matched by her chops. A multi-instrumentalist who commands both voice and percussion, Jordyn co-wrote “Ghost” with songwriter Bayla and producer Lucas Liberatore. The recording process was, she recalls, “a smooth, creative, and collaborative session that brought the vision of the song to life.” On the track, you can hear that synergy: polished pop production balanced with raw emotional intensity.
Listen on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/album/2faM7V6S2A9oIbO40rXqzS?si=ha0ZukQeRDeguy2YnWXzYw&nd=1&dlsi=cfd661e7ba474b82
Her lyrics cut deep in their simplicity. “Didn’t say goodbye / Left me high and dry” she sings in the opening verse, before the chorus demands answers: “Why’d you have to ghost? You left me in the cold.” Later, she hammers home the transformation from intimacy to absence: “We went from lovers / To strangers / No more see ya later.” For a 21st-century heartbreak anthem, it feels startlingly direct—less about closure than about learning to live with the lack of it.
That honesty places Jordyn within a lineage of artists who blend pop accessibility with emotional heft. Like Olivia Rodrigo, she finds strength in vulnerability. Like Halsey, she pulls from the personal while crafting hooks made for arenas. And like HAIM, her embrace of live instrumentation—including drums—sets her apart in a field dominated by laptop beats. Critics have even compared her blend of empowerment and relatability to early Pink, who redefined pop stardom through raw truth and big choruses.
Within today’s pop landscape, Jordyn represents a Gen Z reaction to hyper-polished icons. While TikTok virality has boosted her reach—her videos have earned millions of views—her music resists fleeting trends. Instead, she’s building a catalogue rooted in authenticity, weaving together pop, rock, and R&B into something both retro-inspired and future-facing.
Fans will soon get a chance to see that energy live. Jordyn’s next performance is set for September 20, 2025, in New Jersey, where she will open for Rachel Grae. More tour dates are expected as she builds toward a full release schedule in the coming year.
As Jordyn Sugar steps into this new chapter, the message is clear: she’s more than a viral moment. With her dual gifts for rhythm and melody, her refusal to conform to pop clichés, and her unwavering honesty, she’s shaping a career that could redefine what empowerment sounds like in the streaming era. Or, as Jordyn herself puts it: “Right now, ‘Ghost’ is our focus single, but I have several other songs ready. This is only the beginning.”