Jessica Rozé makes her entrance into pop with “Forbidden Fruit,” a glossy, flirtatious debut that turns secret desire and escapist daydreaming into a bright summer fantasy. Hailing from Malta, the rising singer-songwriter arrives with a sound designed for beach speakers, late-night drives and those moments when you would rather imagine somewhere—or someone—else. With production from rising producer Jameson and co-writing alongside British artist Archaic Information, Rozé sets the stage for her upcoming EP Wine Not? with plenty of confidence and personality.
The track opens with revving beats and immersive production, immediately creating a sense of movement. Rather than rushing straight into its payoff, Rozé gradually builds the song with an undercurrent of frustration, mirroring the tension of wanting something that remains just beyond reach. Her delivery carries both desire and impatience, as though the fantasy has become too tempting to simply leave as a fantasy.
At its core, “Forbidden Fruit” revolves around the classic allure of the unattainable crush. It is that person you cannot stop thinking about despite knowing they are out of reach, but the song cleverly stretches that idea beyond romance. The forbidden object becomes a symbol for escape itself—the imagined new life, fresh beginning, or impossible future that suddenly seems far more exciting than the reality you are living.
That gives the track a little more bite than its playful exterior initially suggests. Rozé is singing about wanting out, and there is something wonderfully relatable about turning dissatisfaction into a daydream.
Drawing inspiration from artists such as Zara Larsson, Sabrina Carpenter, Miriana Conte, Little Mix and Mae Muller, Rozé clearly understands the appeal of charismatic, hook-heavy pop. Yet “Forbidden Fruit” sounds like the first glimpse of an artist ready to chase whatever once seemed impossible. And if this is the opening taste of Wine Not?, the temptation to take another sip should be hard to resist.
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Review by: Naomi Joan