Jem Cooke closes 2025 as one of the UK’s most consistent vocalists in house, known for clear storytelling and melodic restraint. She’s been a go-to writer and featured voice for producers like CamelPhat and Sonny Fodera, with releases spanning major platforms including RCA Records. Cooke’s own material has typically explored introspective and atmospheric themes, but “Good To Go” flips the script toward direct, everyday dialogue.
Built alongside Madrid based producer Crusy, the single lands on Toolroom with uncluttered grooves and a topline stitched tight into the production rather than sitting above it. The result is simple, warm, and collaboration-led, the kind of track that works in the room without needing heavy framing.
In the interview below, Cooke breaks down how this one came together, and why the next Crusy link-up is already underway.
When you think about “Good To Go” in the context of everything you released in 2025, what makes this collaboration feel distinct from the rest of your output this year?
I think for me it’s quite a grounded vocal lyrically – less from the internal cosmic musings that I often get asked for (!) but more real life, real speak, feet on the floor kinda chat…does that make any sense??
You have a strong creative identity. When you were finalising the track, which ideas or instincts did you hold firm on, and which did you let go of so the collaboration could breathe?
I had that vocal locked and loaded already and I sent over the acapella to Mikel to see if he liked it – which he did – then he smashed out the music in a few hours that same day and it just worked. So I took care of the topline and he built the track underneath it and the two lanes just kind of merged perfectly with no friction – it was amazing really.
Your recent releases have leaned into slightly different moods. How did working with Crusy shape the emotional tone you wanted listeners to sit with on this one?
Going back to the lyrical content being more day to day and from one person to another it needed to feel almost effortless in the production – easy going and laid back cool was what it needed and Mikel delivered that. This track is meant to put a smile on your face and make you want to bop…
Looking back at your work this year, what has changed the most about how you approach writing or production, and where does this track sit within that shift?
I don’t really think my approach to song writing has changed to be honest – I treat every collaboration like you’re making a brand new baby – figuratively of course!! You’re bringing two creative worlds together and that changes every time you’re with somebody new so you have to almost wipe the slate clean and just be in that relationship during that session. Makes life more fun if you treat it all as brand new every day – less baggage and more exciting 🙂
You toured heavily in 2025. How have crowds influenced the way you hear this record now compared to when it was still on the hard drive?
We did a pop up a few weeks ago and seeing people there react to it was really lovely – it was a great room and a lovely vibe with a crew of people who’d come out in the rain to have a good time and it felt very wonderful seeing it come to life.
Creative partnerships often reveal habits or blind spots. What did you learn about your own process through working with Crusy on this project?
Don’t over think it and have fun 🙂
Now that this release is out, what part of the experience makes you want to work with Crusy again, and what part makes you want to take things somewhere very different next time?
I loved working with Mikel and the whole team at Toolroom – they came up with so many amazing ideas around the release that I genuinely wanted to be a part of and was excited to do.
Not all labels do what they did (and do) and I loved what they put together for me and Mikel to do aside from the music – plus he’s a funny guy who’s great fun to be around so we had a laugh making all the videos. Going back to my mantra about not overthinking things, we’ll just have to see what happens on the next collab together which is already in play…stay tuned! 🙂 x
Good To Go is out now on Toolroom