The return of Jacqui Lumsden in 2025 has proved a breath of fresh air within the Melbourne indie space. The singer-songwriter, with the release of her track ‘I Love Me’ in February, demonstrated her natural talent for evocative storytelling had only bolstered in the year she spent away from music. And now, she is continuing to thrive, making strides forward into this year with the reveal of her latest single, ‘Pretending Season’.
 
A song that journeys themes of relationships and the fears we often have to navigate through when dealing with them, ‘Pretending Season’ is Jacqui Lumsden at a new creative and personal peak.

Spilling these innermost thoughts and anxieties into the record for all to hear, Jacqui’s vulnerability within the single is at the heart of its magnificence. ‘Pretending Season’ sees raw and moving honesty sculpted into something all at once shimmering, gritty, and beautiful.
 
“‘Pretending Season’ is about hiding within your own relationship – pretending everything is fine because if you face your fear and confront the issues, it might lead to the relationship ending. In my case, I did not want my relationship to be over. I was clearly clinging onto something and so was he, which resulted in us both living in this horrible, insincere experience.

Typically, I’ll mine my life for writing inspiration long after the events have happened with the benefit of hindsight. I love this song because I think writing it while being in that emotional state has given it this really raw and honest quality. It captures exactly how I was feeling and I’m really proud of that. I think not being able to recognise yourself or your partner at times during a relationship is something that a lot of people can relate to.” JACQUI LUMSDEN

Matching the vibe of the song, ‘Pretending Season’ is released with an accompanying music video, directed by District Down Under.

Of creating the visuals, Lumsden says, “The idea behind the video was to do something really simple that let the emotion and the lyrics be the hero. I wanted a visual representation of “pretending” on my face so we decided to build on the makeup throughout the video. It starts with just an eyebrow, then a nose and by the end I’m a sort of sad clown.

I’m trying to convey how prolonged emotional distance can turn you into an unrecognisable version of yourself. The makeup was skilfully executed by Melbourne makeup artist Bella Drummond.”  JACQUI LUMSDEN