Indonesian-Canadian singer, songwriter and producer Jordan Astra reflected on his artistic journey and the culmination of his three-album trilogy with his latest release, “Time Will Tell,”
The artist is known for his captivating performances and infectious tracks “Hot Summer Love,” “According To You,” and “After Midnight.”
In an interview with Music Geek, Astra described his music as “up-tempo R&B meets funk,” also naming Anderson Paak, Bruno Mars, and Pharrell as his musical influences.
“My music is all about feeling good, great grooves and high energy,” he added.
Astra began pursuing music in 2018 while working as an accounts director at a creative agency. He transitioned to live performances later that year.
“I remember feeling electric on stage,” he stated, adding that by 2019, he was touring Australia and Los Angeles, solidifying his decision to pursue music full-time.
As an Indonesian-Canadian artist, he noted that his background instilled a strong sense of drive and ambition. “Being a mixed kid is always challenging, but it means we have more to say.”
After returning to Toronto in 2021, Astra released a trilogy from 2023 to 2025, influenced by the city’s R&B scene and cultural diversity. In particular, he set a goal to create a project each year. He described “Man From East” as the journey of discovering oneself, “Far Deeper” as the leap of faith to the unknown, and “Time Will Tell” as pursuing a goal to fruition.
Notably, “Time Will Tell” includes collaborative tracks featuring Nonso Amadi on “Good Love,” Justin Nozuka on “Questions,” and Yuna on “Safest Place.” Astra was all praise for his collaborators, having enjoyed their music for a while. In particular, he remarked that collaborating with Yuna, after five years of trying to connect, served as positive validation of his direction as an artist and producer.
The album’s focus track, “Safest Place,” features Yuna’s silky tones complementing Astra’s crisp delivery, an intimate yet cinematic duet with orchestral elements, elevating the song’s warmth and emotional depth.
Moreover, he selected “Driving Me Wild” as the song that ties together the album concept, describing it as a reflection of his sound and artistic confidence. He also named it the song he’s immensely proud of, as it showcased his authenticity and obsession with his passion for the art.
“It was such a natural process of writing that song and producing it. It just poured out of me.”
If he could revisit the trilogy, he emphasized the importance of collaborating with different individuals as an artist, producer, and engineer, which can allow him to focus on one task at a time.
In addition, he recognized that although creating music is deeply personal, sharing his vision with other creatives can elevate the project and extend its relatability. He assured that the determination and perseverance he developed during the trilogy will shape his future projects.
“Anything worth fighting for is worth the sacrifice. I set a goal three years ago to do a project every year, and I can take that into everything that I do moving forward.”
Discussing his creative process, Astra, who is deeply involved from conceptualization to production, draws inspiration from his travels and personal experiences. He often notes down phrases or even a single word on his phone, which he later revisits, reminding him of the emotions those memories bring and serving as the starting point of his process.
When asked how he balances authenticity and relatability, Astra said, “Your most authentic version of yourself is ultimately the most universal way to reach people.”
He added, “Ultimately, the music that I create is all about capturing my own feelings and then bouncing it back out to the world.”
For his dream collaborators, he named global artists Bruno Mars and Pharrell, already looking forward to how their dynamics could work in the studio. He also named Nu Genea among his dream collaborators, expressing interest in their collaborative approach as DJs and fellow producers.
Coinciding with the interview, Astra attended a sync camp with several Filipino artists, expressing both gratitude and excitement for the opportunity to collaborate and sharpen his production skills.
Looking ahead, he said fans could expect a new project in the latter half of the year, describing it as music that fits “poolside discos, the speakeasy, and the golden hour of the night,” an experience he promised would be immersive and exciting.
