This post was updated Feb. 6 at 7:42 p.m.

With the release of her new single “dymk?,” Jordan Cierra is letting her audience know who she is as an artist.

Shifting toward a pop-punk sound for her sophomore single, the fourth-year psychology student released her latest track “dymk?” – an acronym for “does your mother know?” – Jan. 31, in collaboration with UCLA’s Cherry Pop Records. Bolstered by the student-run record label, the single was recently added to curated playlists of major media distributors including Apple Music’s “New in Alternative” playlist. Drawing inspiration from a past relationship, the singer-songwriter said the track explores the challenges of grappling with outside perceptions beyond of one’s control.

“I think a lot of time, people have an idea of who they think you are or who they want you to be,” Cierra said. “I hate other people trying to tell me how to live my life, or how to share my music or how to write my music, and so I think it’s all about not falling into that, even though it might be easier to do.”

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Cierra said she started focusing on songwriting more seriously during the pandemic – bringing a more honest approach to her lyricism – and began writing the original verses of “dymk?” in 2022. She said the delay between the writing of the single and its release stemmed from her commitment to preserving the authenticity of her artistic vision. Originally written as a stripped-down piano ballad, the single’s sonic development was shaped in part by Cierra’s partnership with Cherry Pop Records, which she said provided her with access to student producers and live musicians.

Adapting her approach from the writing of her debut single “odyssey,” Cierra said she devoted additional time to this track to maintain the integrity of her storytelling, aiming to craft lyrics that her audience could connect with. Composing the single in her dorm room, the indie pop artist said while she often gravitates toward emotional ballads, she hopes this release will showcase the multifaceted nature of her artistry, reflecting the diversity of her musical influences.

“I love the idea of not being the same artist twice,” Cierra said. “I think ‘dymk?’ was the complete opposite that I could go from ‘odyssey,’ and I think it shows a huge other side of me.”

Artists and repertoire manager of Cherry Pop Records and fourth-year applied mathematics student Annalise Courtines said the label’s mission is to help students bring their artistic visions to life while prioritizing the preservation of their creative autonomy. Courtines said the label coordinates access to recording studios, audio engineers and producers, fostering professional growth for student artists. Managing the promotion and distribution of the single, Cherry Pop also implemented unique marketing strategies – such as handing out cupcakes on Bruin Walk – to encourage pre-saves of the single, a nod to the track’s cover art, Courtines added.

“We really just wanted to work on gaining an audience and finding what her vision is or what her branding is,” Courtines said. “She makes music for people like her, creatives, girls with feelings, … and she’s a star, so that’s something we want to include in her branding.”

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Balancing the marketing, recording and release of music can be challenging for emerging artists, Cherry Pop A&R coordinator and second-year cognitive science and communication student Jodi Chung said, as the label hopes to alleviate pressure on its artists. Cierra said modern artists often juggle multiple roles – from content creator to songwriter to performer – but the label has allowed her to concentrate entirely on the musical aspect. While the recording process was collaborative, with Cierra working alongside two Cherry Pop producers, she said they provided her with complete control of the sound and remained committed to her creative direction.

Chung said Cherry Pop was particularly drawn to Cierra’s indie-pop sound, recognizing the fresh perspective and distinct sound she adds to the label’s roster. Being a part of Cherry Pop Records has motivated Cierra to challenge herself, she added, as the collective effort behind her projects translates into motivation to work harder. Preparing to release a third single, Cierra said she hopes to highlight new dimensions of her musicianship in future releases. Reflecting on her personal struggles with self-doubt, Cierra added that she encourages aspiring artists to prioritize their authenticity above all else, saying that songwriting is about embracing and expressing one’s true identity rather than altering it to appease others.

“The hardest part when I first started writing songs again was being willing to work through the failures and being willing to work through, ‘This song wasn’t that good, but I’m going to keep writing another one the next day,’” Cierra said.