Edited by Mikkel Hyldebrandt
Photos: So Fierce Music
Rising trans pop artist Jae XO is back with a bewitching new single, “Dancin’ in the Full Moon,” a sultry, high-energy dance-pop anthem that feels tailor-made for Halloween season. Produced by Velvet Code and recorded with 3x Grammy-winning engineer Denise Barbarita, the track blends disco grooves, irresistible hooks, and a touch of witchy mysticism that promises to keep listeners under its spell long after the beat fades.
The song’s origins are as magical as its sound. While fighting through a bout of writer’s block, Jae turned to their kitchen for inspiration, brewing a creative potion of herbs – peppermint, lavender, rose, rosemary, and more. “I was immediately hit with a groove that made my bones move,” Jae recalls. “It was the fastest I’ve ever written a song, and within days I had a full demo ready.”
At its heart, “Dancin’ in the Full Moon” is an anthem of trans power, resilience, and self-discovery. “Trans people are mystical, powerful beings who fight through hell and back just to live authentically,” says Jae. “Dancin’ in the Full Moon is about harnessing that inner strength, charging ourselves with confidence and expression, and finding joy in the fight.”
The single carries Jae’s signature energy that fans first fell in love with on their breakout hit “Fabulous,” but Jae promises this track goes even further. “This one is sexier, catchier, and more thrilling than anything else I’ve ever written,” they say. “I know it will become a haunting household hit for years to come.”
With its hypnotic rhythm, brass flourishes, and even a witch’s spell woven into the bridge, “Dancin’ in the Full Moon” captures every mood of the spooky season – whether you’re carving pumpkins, dancing until dawn, or summoning a little magic under the stars.
Jae credits a “coven” of collaborators for helping bring their creative vision to life, including makeup and styling maven Evan Nicholas, creative assistant Kimi Handa Brown, nail technician Sammy Daoud, and design duo Langley and Luis of Lone Ace Design, who crafted the track’s stunning visuals. A full music video is on Jae’s wishlist, pending funding to match their ambitious vision.
For Jae, “Dancin’ in the Full Moon” is more than a song—it’s a call to movement and meaning. “Dan Savage once said, ‘During the darkest days of the AIDS crisis, we buried our friends in the morning, protested in the afternoon, and danced all night,’” Jae reflects. “This song will make people want to dance, but it’s never just dancing. It’s mourning, it’s fighting, and it’s celebrating all at once.”
As Jae continues to carve out space in the music industry, they remain grounded in community and gratitude. “As an independent trans artist, I know I’m swimming upstream for visibility,” they say. “But I carry on because I know how much it means for my community to see us thriving and taking up space. That keeps me moving forward.”
“Dancin’ in the Full Moon” is available now on all streaming platforms. Follow @jaexo.music for more updates and upcoming releases.