There are some songs that are made to be listened to, and others that seem almost impossible to hear without moving. Judith Owen’s latest single “Inside Out” falls firmly into the second category.
The acclaimed vocalist and songwriter has teamed up with Grammy Award-winning artist Jamison Ross for a soulful new collaboration that draws on old-school soul, gospel, jazz and the unmistakable musical spirit of New Orleans.
Taken from Owen’s acclaimed album Suit Yourself, “Inside Out” finds the artist in a particularly celebratory mood. The track is built around an infectious groove, rich vocals and the powerful contribution of the Tonya Boyd-Cannon Choir, creating a sound that feels both timeless and alive.
At the centre of the release is Owen’s creative partnership with Ross. Known for his work across jazz, soul and R&B, Ross co-wrote the song with Owen and also plays drums as a member of her band, the Gentlemen Callers. His presence gives “Inside Out” an effortless rhythmic drive while allowing Owen’s distinctive voice and personality to remain the focus.
Ross describes the song as a “soul bop”, pointing to its old-school foundations and its ability to make listeners move almost instinctively.
But beneath the groove, “Inside Out” carries a deeply personal message.
For Owen, the song represents her musical and personal evolution — particularly the process of accepting who she has become. Rather than presenting joy as something that exists separately from difficult experiences, she sees the two as connected.
“It’s about finding happiness, hope and compassion in the hardest times,” Owen explains.
That outlook feels particularly connected to New Orleans, where Suit Yourself was recorded at Esplanade Studios. The city’s influence can be felt throughout the project, and “Inside Out” perhaps captures that relationship most clearly.
The Tonya Boyd-Cannon Choir brings an unmistakable gospel energy to the recording, transforming Owen and Ross’s soulful collaboration into something communal and uplifting. It is music that feels less concerned with perfection than with connection — with getting people together and giving them a reason to celebrate.
The accompanying official video, directed by Josh Bagnall, was filmed at Fish Pot Studio in New Orleans in May 2026, continuing the visual connection between the song and the city that helped inspire it.
“Inside Out” arrives at an exciting point in Owen’s current musical chapter. Suit Yourself has now surpassed one million streams, following its release via Twanky Records. The album brings together jazz, blues, soul and big-band influences, with Owen joined by the Gentlemen Callers, the J.O. Big Band and guests including Davell Crawford, Joe Bonamassa and the Tonya Boyd-Cannon Choir.
While the album explores a broad range of musical traditions, “Inside Out” feels like a particularly clear statement of where Owen is today: confident, joyful and completely comfortable allowing different influences to collide.
And that may be the song’s greatest strength. It doesn’t ask listeners to ignore life’s difficulties. Instead, it suggests that those difficulties make moments of joy even more worth celebrating.
With Owen continuing to take Suit Yourself on the road across the US and Europe, “Inside Out” offers a vibrant introduction to an artist embracing her evolution — and inviting everyone else to dance along with her.
“Inside Out” is out now via Twanky Records.
