Jax Turcotte Makes Powerful Statement With Debut Single “Sincerely, Once Beloved”
Toronto, ON alternative singer-songwriter Jax Turcotte has released his debut single, “Sincerely, Once Beloved,” an intimate yet expansive ballad written as a farewell to guilt, grief, and everything that no longer serves him. Blending vulnerable lyricism with stripped-down instrumentation and a voice that sounds like both a whisper and a declaration, Turcotte is carving out a lane all his own—equal parts Phoebe Bridgers, Radiohead, and the emotional resonance of early 2000s indie rock.
The single is released via The Singer’s Company and marks a bold new chapter for the 18-year-old artist. Written during his final year of high school, “Sincerely, Once Beloved” started as a personal journal entry—an outlet for processing change, confidence, and clarity. It quickly became something more. “This team’s belief in me promoted my confidence and growth as a musician,” says Turcotte. “Their expertise greatly aided me in creating a fully-fledged record from what was a journal entry.”
“Sincerely, Once Beloved” was written as a “sign off” to all of the negativity I had been allowing to affect me: others’ opinions, self-doubt, guilt,” Turcotte explains. “It’s the clarity that comes with recovering from hard times in your life.”
Produced by Roy Hamilton III and Matt Fasullo, with additional mixing by Joe Carolus and mastering by Noah Mintz (Broken Social Scene, The Constantines), the single showcases Turcotte’s artistry and multi-instrumental talent. He performs guitar, vocals, hand percussion, and more on the track.
Lyrically, it’s a poetic burn letter—and a love letter to oneself. “It’s a letter I wished I had sent to myself and to anyone who has ever willfully misunderstood me,” says Turcotte. That authenticity rings out in the refrain:
“Sincerely, a dreamer / Sincerely, a lover / Sincerely, a mourning dove / Sincerely, once beloved”
Turcotte’s gift is in transforming deeply personal thoughts into universal truths. The imagery is raw, but never bitter—there’s grace in his vulnerability. It’s the kind of songwriting that meets listeners exactly where they are, whether they’re in the middle of healing or finally stepping out of the fog. The track balances emotional catharsis with melodic restraint, showcasing a young artist with an old soul and a sharp sense of self.
Raised in Toronto, Jax’s musical upbringing included everything from James Blake and Florence Welch to Sufjan Stevens and Brandi Carlile. But “Sincerely, Once Beloved” is no imitation—it’s an arrival. With this track, Turcotte introduces himself not as an echo of his influences but as a distinct voice within the new generation of emotionally intelligent singer-songwriters. His classical training, combined with a natural gift for lyricism, gives his music both weight and warmth.
The song has already begun to connect with fans who describe it as “a mirror” and “a hug disguised as a heartbreak.” Whether played through headphones on a rainy walk or through speakers at the end of a long day, “Sincerely, Once Beloved” feels less like a debut and more like a companion.
Turcotte’s goal remains refreshingly clear:
“The goal has always been to express myself in a way that feels authentic. If someone connects with it, and I’ve made even the smallest difference—then I’ve done what I came here to do.”
With more music and live performances on the way, “Sincerely, Once Beloved” is a debut, sure, and also an invitation into Jax Turcotte’s world.
This song started as a journal entry—what was going through your mind the day you first wrote it?
There was initially a lot of anger in the journal entry: it was a frustrated rant that I eventually organized into song form. I had recently recovered from some mental health struggles, and I had gone into my year with a pretty clear mindset, thinking “this is a whole new year, everything is going to be great”. I was really trying hard to project an image of myself that was “perfect and likeable”, as if it would make up for the time I spent suffering. That turned out to be completely unrealistic and impossible to sustain. Instead of forcing myself to quickly move on and essentially sweeping everything under the rug, “Sincerely, Once Beloved” was an avenue to truly process these things I had gone through. I was bidding farewell to difficult past experiences, including that “perfect” version of me.
How did it feel to hear the fully produced version for the first time, after building it up from something so raw and private?
I was in the studio with Roy, and we were putting the finishing touches on the vocals: when he played it back, and I realized our work was done, it was profoundly rewarding. When I started working with Roy on the song initially, I was apprehensive about letting somebody else into my creative process. Hearing the song for the first time, I knew I was right to take the leap. The quality was better than I’ve ever heard on one of my songs, the details were all there. Turning a song that existed in my mind into something tangible was so cool, it only motivates me to keep making more music.
What was it like working with producers like Roy Hamilton III and Matt Fasullo on your very first release?
Their expertise took my sound to a refined point, they really understood what I was trying to do with the song. The drum line I had in mind was pretty complex, and Roy brought in Matt to help with them. I’m not a drummer, so I would tap the beat on my legs, and it would click for Matt, and he was able to plug it in. My favourite part of the recording process was experimenting with different harmonies and riffs on both vocal and guitar parts. I would sing some wild harmonies and see how high or low my voice could go, and to see how each added harmony could change the feeling of a line. There was a lot of room for me to explore and experiment throughout the process, we never took ourselves too seriously. I am really grateful for that; It definitely preserved the creativity of the work and made it fun.
If someone hears “Sincerely, Once Beloved” while going through a hard time, what do you hope they take away from it?
I want to give somebody hope, confidence. I hope that whatever somebody is going through, they can listen to “Sincerely, Once Beloved” and trust that they are going to come out of it. Trusting yourself is a huge theme in this song. Trust yourself enough to make necessary changes, enough to face your battles head on and come out better, enough to thrive. That’s what this song gave me.