Jem Cassar-Daley explores the myth of the 'Cool Girl' in new single

Image: James Adams
Published: 18 June 2026

Proud Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung woman and rising star Jem Cassar-Daley has released her new single ‘Cool Girl’.

Written with and produced by Robby De Sá (The Veronicas, Gretta Ray, Carla Wehbe), ‘Cool Girl’ has Cassar-Daley’s trademark indie-pop sound with a hint of country mixed with electronic pop in the chorus. The lyrics explore the desperation of trying to be someone you are not to fit in with someone else: ‘I can be anything you want me to / Drink Bud Light, I can get tattoos / I can take my whole world / Fit it into your mould,’ she sings.

“I wrote ‘Cool Girl’ after re-watching one of my favourite films, Gone Girl, during which we watch as Rosamund Pike’s character (Amy Dunn) slowly transforms into a woman she doesn’t recognise,” Cassar-Daley says. “At a really poignant part of the movie, there is this incredible monologue that  Amy does about the ‘cool girl’. The line “Nick loved a girl I was pretending to be” really stuck with me. I feel this taps into the societal pressures women face to conform to and live up to these unrealistic standards in a patriarchal society.”

“Women are told to be ‘hot’ and ‘fun’ and 'game,' while remaining ‘cool’ and 'nonchalant' and never causing a scene. How? I wanted to write a song that says ‘I could do all of these things to fit your mould - drink the beer, get tattoos, pretend to like football - because at the end of the day, you just want a ‘cool girl,’ don’t you?’”

‘Cool Girl’ is Cassar-Daley’s third release this year, after ‘Clichés’ and ‘Speak Now’. It comes off the back of her performing a headline show at the Sydney Opera House as part of Vivid LIVE 2026 as well as the news she will be performing at this year’s BIGSOUND in September.

Ever since first releasing music in 2021, Cassar-Daley has steadily emerged as one of Australia’s brightest new talents. With a warmly resonant voice and a soundscape that feels like a warm hug, her music is always a highlight - expect more brilliance from her in the coming months.

‘Cool Girl’ is out now via Civilians. You can download and stream here.
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