Some musical partnerships are inevitable. Others? They blindside you, like an unexpected thunderstorm on an otherwise sunny day, leaving you soaked and reeling but undeniably thrilled. That’s what “Don’t Ya,” the new single from American Idol season 22 alums Jordan Anthony and Mackenzie Sol, feels like—an electrifying downpour of soulful pop, served up by two artists who’ve joined forces to create something greater than the sum of their parts. Released under their new moniker J+M, this single is more than just a track—it’s an unveiling of what these two young stars can do together, and a testament to the power of collaboration in a genre so often dominated by solo acts.
Sol, the British-born triple threat with an audience of 12 million TikTok followers at his feet, and Anthony, the Australian wunderkind who stole hearts as the youngest finalist in The Voice Australia history, have been making waves in their respective spheres for years. But “Don’t Ya” isn’t the typical tale of two solo artists tossing a track together to cash in on each other’s fan bases. No, this song feels like the start of something far more meaningful—a partnership rooted in the deep well of shared experience and undeniable chemistry.
For both Jordan and Mackenzie, the journey to this point has been full of high notes and hard lessons, a rollercoaster of early stardom and the inevitable pressures of expectation. Mackenzie Sol, hailing from a small town in Northern England, was practically born into the limelight. By four, he was gracing the stage on X-Factor UK, and by six, he had already performed on London’s West End. Trained at the prestigious Royal Ballet School and rubbing shoulders with legends like Jennifer Hudson and Babyface at the Carousel of Hope Ball, Sol’s ascent seemed predestined. But fast forward a decade, and it wasn’t until his finalist run on American Idol that the world really started to take notice of the pop phenom hiding behind his soulful croon.
For Jordan Anthony, things took a different, albeit no less extraordinary, route. From Western Australia, Anthony broke onto the scene at 14, when he became the youngest-ever finalist on The Voice Australia, making it to the Top 4. A prodigy in his own right, Jordan wasn’t content to coast on vocal talent alone. His songwriting, raw and honest, delves into the heavy stuff—bullying, heartbreak, loss—his lyrics carrying the weight of someone who’s felt the sting of life’s sharpest edges. At 19, with a Junior Eurovision stint and American Idol Top 14 finish under his belt, Anthony has become a voice of a generation—someone unafraid to channel pain into poetry.
So when these two, both honed by the rigors of fame and the loneliness of growing up in the spotlight, found themselves in a studio together, something clicked. As Mackenzie Sol put it, “Collaborating with Jordan was a dream I never knew I had. As a solo artist, I never imagined working with someone else, but when the opportunity came, I couldn’t resist. When we heard the song, we knew it had the potential to be a hit.”
And he wasn’t wrong. “Don’t Ya” opens with a pulsating beat that quickly gives way to a smooth, intoxicating blend of Jordan’s rich vocals and Mackenzie’s soulful falsetto. There’s something magnetic about the way their voices dance together—Jordan’s warm tones grounding the track while Mackenzie’s high notes soar like a bird riding the wind. The song’s chorus hits like a wave, drawing you in with its infectious melody and lyrics that drip with vulnerability and longing. “Don’t ya wanna stay a little longer, don’t ya feel the pull getting stronger?” they ask, the question lingering in the air like a breathless whisper.
But what makes “Don’t Ya” more than just another pop ballad is its soul—the kind of soul that’s hard to fake in a genre that sometimes prioritizes style over substance. This is a song born from real-life heartache and the desire to connect, to find solace in another person, if only for a moment. Jordan Anthony, reflecting on the collaboration, said, “I’m so excited about this record, not only to be releasing more music, but being able to collaborate with Mackenzie on this one just made sense for me. It’s always cool to be able to release alongside other artists, especially as this will actually be the first collaboration project I’ve dropped. So, I hope everyone loves it.”
The track’s production, helmed by the same team that’s worked with pop royalty, strikes a balance between mainstream appeal and emotional depth. It’s polished, but not over-produced, leaving room for the heart of the song to shine through. You can hear the influences that both artists bring to the table: Sol’s polished, stage-bred pop sensibilities and Jordan’s raw, introspective songwriting blend into something that feels both fresh and familiar. There’s a dash of Justin Timberlake swagger, a sprinkle of early Usher, and just enough grit to keep things interesting.
What’s perhaps most surprising about “Don’t Ya” is how seamlessly these two young artists—both of whom have spent much of their lives in the solo spotlight—manage to share the stage. Instead of competing for attention, they lift each other up, their voices complementing rather than overshadowing one another. It’s a partnership that feels like it was meant to be, even if neither of them saw it coming.
For J+M, this is just the beginning. “We’re excited to share this song with the world and unveil the incredible content we have in store,” Mackenzie teased, hinting that “Don’t Ya” is just a taste of what’s to come. And if this track is any indication, we’re in for one hell of a ride.
So, here’s the takeaway: “Don’t Ya” is not just another pop collaboration dropped into the digital abyss. It’s a declaration of intent from two artists who have navigated the ups and downs of young fame and come out the other side with something to say. It’s proof that when you blend raw talent, authentic emotion, and a little bit of serendipity, magic can happen.
Garth Thomas