Heartbreak, though painful, has long served as a powerful source of inspiration for musicians. Whether stemming from the loss of a relationship, the end of a friendship, or a career setback, the emotions—grief, anger, sadness, and hope—can drive creativity in unique ways.
For Jayda, songwriting is a means to process these emotions. By channeling her pain into lyrics and melodies, she crafts music that resonates with listeners. This approach is evident in her latest album, Sad Girl Hours, which offers a deeply personal exploration of emotional growth, healing, and the challenges that come with heartbreak.
At a recent listening party for the album, Jayda was joined by her parents, Dingdong Avanzado and Jessa Zaragoza, close friends, and members of the press. The intimate event showcased not just the music but also a series of music videos woven into a short film that narrates her emotional journey—from denial and anger to depression and, finally, acceptance.
Jayda shared with Manila Standard Entertainment that the album was inspired by the losses she experienced in 2023, which brought a new understanding of what true loss means to her.
“I think I realized what true loss means in 2023, in a way that I never realized before. That became the motivation behind this album,” she said.
The album’s creation began when Jayda was just 17, under what she originally called The Jayda Project.
“I consider myself an album artist,” she explained. “For me, it’s all about waiting for the right moment and experiences to shape my work. And if there’s one thing this process taught me, it’s that pain teaches us so much about ourselves.”
One standout track from the album, “Lumimot Sa ‘Yo,” is a pop ballad about moving on. The song is notable for its message of self-love and acceptance, marking the final stage of healing from heartbreak.
Writing this song posed a challenge for Jayda, as she admitted during the interview, given that English is her first language. However, overcoming these difficulties resulted in one of the most powerful tracks on the album.
The song’s piano-driven sound and introspective lyrics highlight Jayda’s evolving artistry. “I’ve always been drawn to introspective songwriting,” she noted. “But this song is less about telling a specific story and more about expressing an internal dialogue — a message to the universe about wanting to be loved right.”
As a whole, Jayda described the album as a culmination of her work so far, saying it represents her proudest moment as an artist.
“I always write about heartbreak and love, and I like to challenge myself with the themes I explore,” she related.
Jayda’s career began with her debut single “Text” in 2018, followed by the EP In My Room, which included the track “Happy For You.” She has also directed music videos for her own songs, such as “Paano Kung Naging Tayo?” and “M.U. (Malabong Usapan).”
As she continues to develop as an artist, Jayda hinted at future projects, including a visual component for the track “Loved For Once.”
