Some of the most compelling music begins in the uncomfortable spaces where easy answers disappear. For Miles Jenson, those spaces can be deeply personal or unmistakably political, but they are always approached with the same curiosity and emotional honesty. His latest pair of singles, “Against My Best Interests” and “North Star,” continues an artistic journey built around examining the contradictions that shape both individual lives and the wider world.
Following his acclaimed debut EP Sunshine Goldmine, Jenson returns with two songs that reveal different sides of the same songwriter. Orchestrally arranged and produced by Vincent Ott, the releases expand his musical language through jazz-inspired structures, rich orchestration and the soulful traditions that have long informed his work.
“Against My Best Interests” turns the focus inward, exploring the uneasy relationship between self-improvement and self-sabotage. Inspired in part by the timeless jazz interpretations of Chet Baker and Billie Holiday, the song finds beauty in contradiction. Its warm, almost romantic musical character sits against lyrics concerned with the parts of ourselves that continue to resist change.
It is an idea that feels particularly human. Progress does not always happen cleanly, and becoming a better version of yourself does not necessarily mean leaving every destructive habit behind. Jenson captures that grey area with a song that understands personal growth as something complicated rather than perfectly linear.
“North Star” takes a much wider view. Written during Jenson’s time in Austin, Texas, the track reflects on racism, class inequality, political division and the fear that can grow when people feel deprived of opportunity. Rather than treating those issues as disconnected problems, Jenson examines the relationship between economic insecurity and the divisions that are often created around race and identity.
The result is socially conscious songwriting without sacrificing musical ambition. Jazz traditions, orchestral textures and soul influences give both releases a cinematic quality, while Jenson’s writing keeps the human experience firmly at the centre.
That balance has become an important part of his identity. His debut EP Sunshine Goldmine, produced by Grammy-winning duo King Garbage, explored addiction, obsession, racism, classism and personal transformation, earning recognition from outlets including Tinnitist, Music Mecca, York Calling, Raised By Cassettes and V13. Its title track was also named Best Indie Song of 2025 at the Indie Boulevard Music Awards.
Jenson’s path to this point has been anything but conventional. After achieving sobriety and signing a record deal in Atlanta, he eventually chose creative independence over the security of the label system. His move to Los Angeles opened another chapter, eventually leading to an unexpected partnership with King Garbage after Jenson made a bold cold call to the production duo.
Now, with “Against My Best Interests” and “North Star,” Jenson is widening that creative world again. The songs demonstrate an artist increasingly comfortable allowing sophisticated arrangements and ambitious ideas to coexist with vulnerability.
At their core, both tracks share a simple purpose: to give language to feelings that can be difficult to articulate. Whether examining the contradictions within ourselves or the forces dividing society, Miles Jenson continues to make music that asks listeners to look closer.
Sometimes a song does not solve the problem. Sometimes simply recognising yourself inside it is enough.
About Miles Jenson
Miles Jenson is a Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter whose music combines soul, jazz, orchestral pop, and alternative influences into a cinematic and deeply personal sound. His acclaimed debut EP, Sunshine Goldmine, produced by Grammy-winning duo King Garbage, earned recognition for its fearless engagement with themes including addiction, identity, classism, racism, and self-evolution. With a growing national profile and a reputation for emotionally incisive songwriting, Jenson continues to challenge genre conventions while creating music that gives voice to complex, often unnamed emotions.
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