Joe Jonas is going offline for his first solo single of the year.
Ahead of his forthcoming sophomore solo album, Music for People Who Believe in Love, the second-eldest JoBro has released his long-teased “Heart by Heart,” a booming, reflective track that blends a pop foundation with elements of ’90s country and arena rock. “Well, if he don’t ever light your spark/ Remember, I know your heart by heart,” he sings in the pre-chorus over swirling guitars and percussion, striking an impressive balance between dirty macking and heartfelt ode to the enduring power of genuine connections.
As the third offering from Music for People following 2024’s “Work It Out” and “What This Could Be,” “Heart By Heart” further solidifies Joe’s solo sound and differentiates from his work alongside his brothers and DNCE bandmates – as well as the electropop throughlines of his 2011 debut LP, Fastlife.
Accompanying the new single is a Bleeker Street Bar-set music video that finds Jonas embodying the ethos of Heineken’s new “Social Off Socials” campaign. Launched on Thursday (April 24), the new campaign seeks to remind consumers that the original social network is the bar – and that no mode of communication beats in-person connections. It’s a poignant message for a population still recovering from the psychological and emotional impact of not just the COVID-19 pandemic, but also the ever-growing pressures of existing in the digital age. Jonas also stars in the beer brand’s new video spot, which features him dramatizing his reaction to empty social media feeds before eventually stumbling on a packed bar.
On the evening of the campaign launch, Jonas and Heineken teamed up for a special event at Bleeker Street Bar, where the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter played “Heart by Heart” for the first time in front of an audience free of phones and social media. He even captured the crowd’s real-time reactions for the track’s forthcoming music video, playing the song twice, with a passionate rendition of “What This Could Be” sandwiched in between. Jonas will unleash his full Music for People Who Believe in Love LP on May 23 via Republic Records. Alongside his solo efforts, Jonas and his brothers will release their seventh studio album, Greetings from Your Hometown, on Aug. 8 — a little over four months after the band hosted JonasCon to celebrate their 20-year anniversary.
“I chose to debut my new song offline and in-person because it felt like the perfect time to return to what music is really about: connecting with people,” Jonas said. “The crowd was so real, so present, and completely locked into the music – that is something you can’t experience by watching on social media.”
During the video shoot, Billboard got some time with Jonas himself as he opened up about recording “Heart by Heart,” his favorite poets, and resuming his solo musical journey nearly 15 years after his debut.
What was the writing process for “Heart by Heart” like?
[“Heart By Heart”] was actually pitched to me [by] Savan Kotecha. He wrote it with Lewis Capaldi, and I just loved the messaging behind it. I really felt connected to it, so we did some tweaks, and I recorded it last year around the summer or fall. We held onto the song for a while. It felt like the song I really wanted to be the next single of my album, so I’m positioning it in a way where it speaks to where I’m at in my life and the emotional side of where I’m at. I’ve teased it long enough, so I’m eager for people to hear it.
How many takes did it take for you to nail that bridge?
Savan and the whole Max Martin team are brilliant because they will be very particular about what they want, and that’s always really encouraging. They’ll hear something and be like, “Eh, the diction on this word, etc.” [The song] took a few takes, but ultimately, when you connect with anything, it falls together quite quickly. For me, I thought it was pretty natural to get into the song emotionally. The bridge [took] a few takes, but honestly, the song itself happened quite fast – all the mixing and that.
Why does this feel like the right song to launch alongside the Heineken campaign?
I think it was good timing. Heineken came with this amazing campaign of being present [and it resonated with me]. We’re all on our phones all the time, doom-scrolling; I’ll be in bed and be like, “I could be doing so many things right now.” I went to the Masters Tournament recently, and you’re not allowed to have your phone there. The anxiousness you get is crazy; I get in line to order a drink, I’m checking my pockets, and it’s like, “Wait a minute, I can just be.” It’s a nice reminder to be present. I was about to release the song, and they were about to launch the campaign, and we chose the same day.
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned about yourself since returning to solo work?
It’s been a minute since I’ve released anything [solo]. The last album that I did by myself, I’m very proud of. There were a lot of cooks in the kitchen at that time in my life. I was surrounded by a lot of people that I just said, “Yes, and” to. Now, knowing who I am, feeling confident, and looking at my life, I’m so grateful for the friends and family I have around me. And I get to do it again 20-something years later, and find creative ways to speak to what I’ve been through. I know the difference of when it’s a [Jonas] Brothers song or a DNCE song; the music I’ve been making felt really personal. And I selfishly didn’t want to share it with other people. This needed to come from my voice in particular.
What are some of those musical elements that help you differentiate between a solo song, a JoBros song and a DNCE song?
DNCE – our drummer Jack [Lawless] is here, actually – is a funky, sexy, wild, free band, and our audience loves that. We’re a party band; a bar wouldn’t be an unfamiliar place to find us. For the [Jonas] Brothers, [we’re] the guys you know and grew up with. It’s like a warm hug; it’s emotional. But, lyrically, sometimes we can’t always speak. We have three minds going through three different things in our lives. With my solo album, I feel like this music is like my journal that I carry around all the time, and the poetry I’ve been working on.
Who are some of your favorite poets? 
I have a few! Mary Oliver is probably my favorite among many people. I love her poetry. At the beginning of my solo shows right now, I project a Mary Oliver poem [“The Journey”] about realizing the only person you can save is yourself. It’s so powerful. I’m most encouraged by her writing.
What’s your go-to bar order?
I usually go with tequila. Tequila soda with an orange wedge. I don’t know why, but I’m doing the rocks glass — it feels like it tastes different from a tall glass. I’ve also been getting into martinis.
What’s your go-to bar song?
If you’re doing karaoke, you can always do “Don’t Stop Believin’,” and everyone is thrilled. If it’s just me, I like “Piano Man” by Billy Joel. But I’ve Shazamed Brazilian and Spanish hip-hop, so it can be different for any setting.
Where’s your dream place to perform “Heart by Heart?”
A giant stadium, so hopefully this song will be popular enough by when we open the tour on Aug. 10 and people request it!
