London Songwriter Jo from School Unveils New Single Weight Ahead of Debut EP

London songwriter Jo from School drops the hushed single "Weight" ahead of her debut EP, "Grace, Flair & Distance", set for release on August 7 through Chess Club Records. The new track, which blends quiet intensity with a subtle edge, was first heard live at Greyhound in Peckham, a venue that has become a proving ground for South London talent. The performance was part of a Bird On The Wire residency that invited local artists to showcase new material in an intimate setting.

Jo, a 22‑year‑old graduate of the BRIT School, first caught attention with the 2024 single "Chicken", a folk‑inflected song that highlighted her sharp lyricism. Since then, she has shared stages with rising acts such as Daffo, TTSSFU, and Skullcrusher. In 2025 she supported Daffo and TTSSFU on key tour dates, and early 2026 she opened for Skullcrusher, cementing her presence on the national circuit. The Greyhound appearance allowed her to test "Weight" with a live audience before its official release.

Bird On The Wire, a promotion collective that champions South London musicians, organized a multi‑night residency at Greyhound in early June. The residency featured eight acts, including Jo, offering a platform for emerging musicians to refine new songs before a receptive audience. Greyhound’s low‑key environment, a former cinema turned music venue, aligns with Jo’s understated aesthetic.

The track was produced by Rich, whose role was to balance the rawness of Jo's songwriting with a polished sheen. In an interview, Jo explained, "This one was unique in that it was hard to keep writing, but [my producer] Rich knew it could be something. We understood that there was a fine line between supporting the songwriting and emphasising the parts that needed a push, and overdressing the song to a point where the rawness is covered up and lost." She added, "It was the first time he ‘pushed’ for me to continue with an idea – I’m very grateful he did. It’s a soft and heavy song, and my favourite to play live."

Chess Club Records, known for signing genre‑blending singer‑songwriters, announced Jo’s signing in March 2025. The label has cultivated a reputation for supporting artists who blend folk, pop, and indie sensibilities, positioning Jo’s EP within a broader catalog that values lyrical depth. The project, titled "Grace, Flair & Distance", will compile "Weight" with additional tracks that explore themes of personal growth and emotional distance.

The EP is slated for release on August 7, placing it alongside several other indie releases that week and potentially amplifying its visibility in a crowded market. Chess Club’s distribution network will ensure the EP is available on all major streaming platforms and in physical formats for collectors.

A live recording of "Weight" was filmed by Jo's sister Grace during a family holiday in the Welsh countryside and is now available online. The accompanying photo credit is given to Rosa Levenson. The clip offers a glimpse of Jo's stage presence and the intimate atmosphere of Greyhound, reinforcing the song's understated aesthetic.

Jo’s previous singles have cumulatively surpassed 2 million streams on Spotify and 1.5 million on Apple Music, according to platform analytics. These figures illustrate a steady growth trajectory that the new EP is expected to accelerate.

With the single already circulating on major streaming services, Jo is poised to broaden her audience ahead of the EP launch. The project will serve as her first comprehensive statement as a signed artist, and the momentum generated by support slots and residency appearances has built anticipation among listeners and industry observers. While chart performance remains to be seen, the strategic release timing and growing online presence position Jo for increased visibility in the weeks following the EP’s debut.

As of now, Jo from School’s "Weight" is available for streaming, and the EP "Grace, Flair & Distance" is slated for August 7. Fans and industry stakeholders will monitor how the release performs across streaming charts and in the broader indie landscape.