Breathing Through the Heartache: A Deep Dive into Just Jayne’s “Breathe”
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
The rising country-pop trio Just Jayne—comprising Taylor Edwards, Jillian Steele, and Rachel Wiggins—continue to solidify their place in Nashville’s new guard with their emotionally resonant single, “Breathe.” Released in August 2025, the track is a beautifully crafted exploration of lingering heartache, capturing the frustrating reality of trying to move on from a past love that refuses to fully vacate your mind.
“Breathe” is the group’s fifth release of 2025 and follows fan-favorites like “The Way We Were” and their debut “This Morning.” It’s a testament to the trio’s commitment to heartfelt, relatable storytelling, paired with the signature vocal harmonies that have earned them attention on social media and the live circuit.
The Anatomy of Heartache: Song Breakdown and Review
The Theme: The Inescapable Memory
At its core, “Breathe” grapples with the irritating permanence of a memory. The song’s central conceit, and one the group themselves have highlighted, is that you “never think about your exes except for when you breathe.” This clever, yet heartbreakingly simple analogy forms the foundation of the lyric.
The verses paint a picture of deliberate, almost successful, emotional recovery:
I’ve been good, been sleeping fine Haven’t lost my peace of mind I don’t drop your name in therapy I don’t write you in my songs Haven’t screamed “since u been gone” Is what I’d say if you were asking me
The delivery here is key. The lyrics are sung with a confident, almost defensive air, suggesting the speaker is actively trying to convince themselves—and perhaps the ex—that they are “staying strong, moving on.” This sets up the inevitable, painful twist in the chorus.
The Poignant Chorus and Hook
The chorus delivers the emotional gut-punch, contrasting the hard-won progress of the verses with the brutal truth of the involuntary memory:
Like when I breathe I think about you When I breathe, still thinkin’ about you Breaking up is tough to do Luckily it only gets to me When I breathe
The simple act of breathing—a constant, necessary, subconscious action—becomes the vessel for the haunting memory. It’s a masterstroke of songwriting, turning a biological necessity into a metaphor for inescapable grief. The harmonies of Edwards, Steele, and Wiggins truly shine here, adding a layer of bittersweet clarity to the vocal blend that is at once tender and powerful. The trio’s tight-knit vocals elevate the melody, making the emotional stakes of the lyrics feel all the more profound.
Production and Soundscape
“Breathe” is expertly produced by Aaron Zuckerman and Ben Johnson, showcasing a refined country-pop sound that keeps the focus squarely on the narrative and the vocals. The instrumentation is sensitive, featuring subtle touches of country tradition—likely the influence of instruments like mandolin and banjo, listed in the song’s credits—that ground the track in the genre while maintaining a radio-friendly polish. The music creates a gentle, almost meditative backdrop that underscores the “quiet ache” of the lyrics, avoiding the overt melodrama sometimes found in breakup songs for a more mature, contemplative sorrow.
The Verdict
Just Jayne’s “Breathe” is more than just another breakup song; it’s an honest portrayal of the space “between healing and hurting.” The track succeeds by eschewing cliché for a stark, relatable truth: true letting go isn’t a single, dramatic event, but a slow, often frustrating process where the past sneaks in during the quietest, most vulnerable moments. It reinforces Just Jayne’s strength as songwriters—the track was co-written by the trio with Ben Johnson, Kylie Morgan, Rivers Rutherford, and Aaron Zuckerman—who possess an undeniable knack for transforming specific emotional observations into universal anthems.
For listeners navigating the slow burn of post-breakup life, “Breathe” serves as a comforting, beautifully sung reminder that it’s okay for the past to linger, even if it’s only for a moment… when you breathe. The single is a significant step in the trio’s trajectory, further cementing their status as one of country music’s most promising new acts.