Ontario Artist Willem James Cowan Takes on Love and Self-Doubt in His Latest Single, “Jam Jar”

Willem James Cowan’s new single, “Jam Jar,” is a raw, visceral anthem about self-reflection, the fallout of emotional mistakes, and the deep, spiraling thoughts that often follow. The track captures the feeling of being stuck in a loop of self-doubt and regret, all wrapped up in a striking folk-rock sound.

Inspired by a fight with his then-girlfriend, “Jam Jar” finds Cowan reflecting on a moment of fault while trying to understand things from the other person’s perspective. “We were out at a party, and I was at fault. While we were on our way home on the Toronto streetcar, I was trying to imagine things from her shoes—buried in a grave I designed,” says Cowan. The song’s narrative feels as personal as it does universal, touching on themes of vulnerability, guilt, and the struggle of owning up to one’s mistakes.

The title “Jam Jar” holds its own significance, referencing a lyric in the first verse: “My empty head now weighs a ton, I should really sell it to someone floating inside a jam jar.” Cowan describes it as “a little self-pitying, a little cynical, maybe. It’s about being tired of screwing up and letting someone down.” Initially titled “Bell Jar,” the final title serves to distance the song from a Sylvia Plath homage while still evoking feelings of entrapment.

“This song kind of asked to just be a straight-up folk-rock song,” says Cowan. “Sometimes the best choice is the easiest one.” The bridge of the song, in particular, takes on a feeling of isolation, mimicking the spiraling thoughts of someone grappling with regret, before it blends back into the rest of the track, providing a sense of emotional resolution.