Inside Zora Jones’ Creative Sanctuary: The Making of *50 Bullets to the Heart*

The Creative Sanctuary of Zora Jones

In a small apartment shared with Marina Herlop, Zora Jones has cultivated an environment brimming with creativity since March 2025. Our first conversation took place in August, just over a year before her highly anticipated album, *50 Bullets to the Heart*, is set to drop on September 30, 2026. The back wall of her workspace is decked out with soundproofing, serving as a refuge for her artistic process. This is where she's developed visually striking 3D projections accompanying her album. A digital mood board on her laptop showcases a mix of images—from an eclipse of the sun by the moon to angel replicas—alongside a list of strategic Japanese vocabulary that differentiates between the concepts of being a vehicle for others versus possessions. Her focus is palpable, reflected in her handwritten discipline chart: early mornings, transcendental meditation, and dedicated work time. Occasionally, Zora and Marina break the silence of their respective creative endeavours to share musical insights. Jones practices both piano and vocals daily, receiving guidance from her roommate weekly. There's a tangible bond between them; as Marina phrases it, “Sometimes you worry about one another, thinking, ‘I think this might be too much, but I can't say anything.’” The hustle is real—Zora barely took time off during the holiday season, even working through New Year’s Day. A glimpse of her creative organization reveals a striking black poster filled with colored dots and 19 track titles.

The Color-Coded Songwriting Process

Each dot stands for a different stage in the song production process. An orange dot means a demo is complete; red signifies that a mix is ready; and green means the final master is done. Yet, yellow? “That’s a sign I’ve lost the project file. My laptop caught fire,” she quips. If you’re at all aware of the underground electronic scene, you might have unknowingly encountered Zora Jones’ pulsating rhythms—whether in the backdrop of a fashion show or within a viral advertisement featuring LeBron James as a salsa instructor. Her sound blends elements from genres like juke, dancehall, and jersey club, creating an aural experience that feels almost incendiary. As she explains, “This album isn’t just about heartbreak. Over half the tracks reflect that theme, but *Ultrafreak*, for instance, doesn’t touch on it at all.” This nuanced approach shows her willingness to push boundaries, an ethos instilled in her long ago. One of her close friends recounted, “When she was told she couldn’t release anything until hitting a hundred tracks, she didn’t just meet that challenge—she embraced it. She’s rigorous in her craft, never stopping until she achieves her vision.” Now, as she nears the completion of her album, Jones also reflects on her past, discussing her family, her artistic journey, and the burdens she carried while co-managing her previous label, Fractal Fantasy.

Planning for the Live Experience

Zora has her sights set on an upcoming live performance, planning to break away from the conventional DJ setup. “I don’t want to hide behind a table,” she states, longing for a direct connection with her audience. In preparation for this transition, she’s enlisted Jaime Pericás to elevate her live visuals, ensuring they resonate with the emotional undertones of her performance. Reflecting on a recent show in Montreal, Jaime notes, “Zora's work in Fractal was a key influence for me. During her performance, I could see it moved people deeply; many were visibly emotional.” As Jones enhances her artistry, she balances this newfound freedom with practical lessons learned—from the perils of lithium batteries to understanding her need for genuine connection on stage. She’s poised on the brink of a new artistic chapter, determined to make it her own. With her high silver heels—affectionately termed her "independence heels"—Zora Jones is set to reach new heights, embodying not just the determination of a hardworking artist but a persona unafraid to advise the world of its unfulfilled potential.