Jem Cassar-Daley releases new single 'Kiss Me Like You're Leaving' and announces signing to Civilians
Published: 30 April 2025
Rising star Jem Cassar-Daley today releases her new single ‘Kiss Me Like You’re Leaving’, her first release since signing with record label Civilians
The song continues in the gorgeously warm indie-pop vein that has marked Cassar-Daley’s previous releases as standouts. A distinctive guitar through line provides a background to Cassar-Daley’s simply magical voice, that remains absolutely commanding throughout the song through its nuanced emotion.
The song focuses on a little explored aspect of relationships, the complacency we can slip into as the relationship becomes long term. “You’ve got your ways and I’ve got mine / Somehow we’re always fine / So why do I feel empty like something’s kinda missing? / I need a little more than passing in the hall.”
“‘Kiss Me Like You’re Leaving’ is all about wanting passion and urgency from your partner,” Cassar-Daley says. “Over time, it’s so easy to grow complacent with each other and forget the little things that made you fall in love in the first place. I wrote this song with Msquared (Michael Paynter and Michael DeLorenzis) and U.S based songwriter Jon Nite during a Melbourne to Nashville Songhubs in 2024. This track is high energy and fun to play live, all whilst having desperate and heartfelt lyrics about desperately wanting more from someone. It has very quickly become one of my favourite releases and a song that I am very proud to share with the world!”
After releasing music independently since her debut single in 2021, ‘Kiss Me Like You're Leaving’ is Cassar-Daley’s first release since signing with Melbourne based record label Civilians, home to artists including Fanny Lumsden, King Stingray and Eliza & The Delusionals.
“We’re honoured to have Jem and her incredible team place their trust in us,” Civilians co-founder Leigh Gruppetta says. “With her undeniable talent, she’s emerging as one of the most exciting artists in Australian music, and we’re fully committed to helping bring her vision to life.”
To celebrate the release of her new music, Cassar-Daley will be touring across Australia in June on the Kiss Me Like You’re Leaving tour, with tickets on sale now.
Cassar-Daley has been an incredible musical force almost from the get go. In 2022 she won NIMA New Talent of the Year and QMA Indigenous Artist of the Year, and last year she won Best Pop and Song of the Year at the Queensland Music Awards, and Song of the Year at the AIR Music Awards for her single ‘King of Disappointment’. This year, she has been nominated for Emerging Songwriter of the Year at the APRA Music Awards, held tonight in Melbourne.
Becoming more assured and confident with every release, Cassar-Daley is shaping up to become one of Australia’s future superstars, and with more music to come later this year, 2025 looks set to be a watershed year for this beguiling artist.
‘Kiss Me Like You’re Leaving’ is out now via Civilians. You can download and stream here.
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KISS ME LIKE YOU’RE LEAVING TOUR
June 14 – The Vanguard – Sydney
June 21 – The Brightside – Brisbane
June 22 – Coronation Hall – Coutts Crossing
June 28 – Northcote Social Club – Melbourne
