[Image: Jeremy Loops]
We’re all feeling a little weighed down by the heaviness of the world right now, which is why Jeremy Loops’ newest album Feathers and Stone provides the necessary levity we need to keep plodding along.
The Saffa singer delivered a powerful and deeply personal album – which came out on January 31 – that has been years in the making.
“It feels like life has found its way into every crack of these songs,” Jeremy reflects. “It’s a journey—a balancing act between heaviness and lightness, the weight of the world and those rare moments that let you breathe.”
As the world grapples with rapid change, noise, and uncertainty, this album captures the essence of finding light amidst the chaos. Jeremy’s lyrics explore how we remain human in a world increasingly dominated by technology and disconnection.
“I think, for all of us, the world and my music have always been a reflection of each other,” Loops said in an online interview with us. “What I go through mirrors, to some extent, what the world is going through. The chaos of the past few years—the growing sense of fear, the unsettling trajectory of the world, the rise of fascism and nationalism, the looming presence of AI, our addiction to phones, and our dwindling ability to concentrate—has made it feel like we’re carrying an unbearable weight. It’s as if we all have stones in our backpacks that we can’t put down.”
“That’s why the album is called Feathers and Stone. Despite the heaviness of the world, I’ve also experienced moments of lightness—times when I’ve felt as weightless as a feather. In my own life, I’ve somehow found a way to transcend the chaos, which is a new feeling for me.”
He reflects on how the last ten years “have felt like being born out of the fire”, where touring the world has thrown him into exhilarating but turbulent experiences, making his musical journey both thrilling and exhausting.
“But somewhere along the way, in the last few years, I’ve found a sense of peace and tranquillity. It’s been a welcome relief from the relentless pace of it all. And oddly enough, just as the world has been spiralling into chaos, I’ve found clarity. That contrast allowed me to say things on this record that I may have struggled to express before.”
Feathers and Stone is a testament to the beauty of imperfection.
“These songs are built on the raw, real stuff—live instruments, human hands, human hearts. There’s magic in the flaws, in the wobble of a string, the crack of a voice, the rhythm that’s not quite perfect. That’s where the truth lies,” Jeremy explains.
I asked Loops if he could name his favourite song (even though that might be as unfair as asking a parent to name their favourite child), to which he said, there is always a favourite.
‘Deep Cuts’, a song about carrying life’s burdens and finding the resilience to push through is up there, while ‘No Thanks, Not Today’, a quiet rebellion against the overwhelming demands of modern life also feels like a soul-lift for the singer.
I reckon this song could easily be the anthem of the zeitgeist!
And while ‘Coming Home’, the heartfelt collaboration with the iconic Ladysmith Black Mambazo, is one of his favourites, his song Dust Over Dunes really feels like his ultimate baby on the album.
“I think, if there’s a favourite child recorded, it would probably be Dust of the Dunes,” he admitted, adding “I needed that song to arrive in my life and it arrived in this beautiful way.”
It is indeed one of those poetic wonders:
Unlike his previous albums, which felt a bit scattered to him, made in studios across the globe, Feathers and Stone was created in Jeremy’s home studio in Cape Town. The album’s authenticity and rawness were brought to life by an incredible team of producers, including Ed Holloway (Lewis Capaldi, Dean Lewis), Tobias Kuhn (Milky Chance), James Earp (Vance Joy) and Iain Archer (James Bay, Snow Patrol).
Jeremy’s South African roots shine through in every track, weaving together the vibrancy and contrasts of this unique country.
“Growing up in a place of wild contrasts, immense challenges, and unparalleled beauty has shaped my music and perspective,” he says.
Jeremy describes Feathers and Stone as a homecoming.
“These songs are meant to take you back to a simpler time. Kick your shoes off, feel the earth beneath your feet, and let the music remind you of what it means to feel human.”
Jeremy Loops invites you to lose yourself in these songs and find your own balance—your own feathers in the stone.
Stream the album Feathers and Stone HERE.
Jeremy Loops is touring in the cosy cold of Europe and the UK this month in support of the album release, with all the dates and tickets available here.
In a shoutout to local fans, he said “Enjoy Feathers and Stone and I can’t wait to be back in South Africa play it for you guys”.
Watch the space!