This Is Jordan: On their debut album, I. JORDAN shows exactly who they’re meant to be

Until 2022, Jordan was working full-time as an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Consultant at King’s College in London. “This is my first full release that has been me working full-time on music,” says Jordan. “Working-class artists take gigs because we’re terrified. There’s a cost of living crisis, fewer people are going out, venues like Wire are closing down. So I’m trying to manage my anxiety around financial stability as much as possible.”

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Jordan’s had to manage their anxiety around a lot of things lately. Not long ago, they traveled back to Doncaster to visit their grandmother. They hadn’t seen each other since Jordan started HRT, and Jordan had no idea how she’d react. “She accepted me, and was unequivocally supportive,” Jordan says. “She said she really wants to play my record, so I’m going to make sure she gets a copy.”

For Jordan, the process of writing this album has been more than cathartic – it’s been a homecoming. The daunting and defiant steps they’ve taken in their journey of self-acceptance have delivered them to the exact place they’re meant to be. And although they’d love to witness the abolishment of every single oppressive structure that ever existed, they can at least be at home in the one they’ve created. It’s a work-in-progress, and it’s not perfect, but it’s theirs.

‘I AM JORDAN’ is out now via Ninja Tune, get it here

Alice Austin is a freelance writer, follow her on Instagram