Troy Javelona Proclaims NO HEALING WITHOUT HEARTBREAK on His Debut EP

British-Filipino musician Troy Javelona released his debut EP NO HEALING WITHOUT HEARTBREAK. Recorded between his bedroom studio in Plymouth and sessions in London, the 7-track EP traces a personal journey from heartbreak to healing. 

Split into two equal discs with Disc 1 facing heartbreak, Disc 2 focused on healing and an interlude between both discs, NO HEALING WITHOUT HEARTBREAK blends indie, R&B, soul and jazz influences with Troy's candid songwriting and DIY ethos. In this article, Troy breaks down each track from his perspective.

“Such a great opening to the project. This song reflects the beginning of my journey through grief post-breakup. I remember writing this song the day after it happened and I really poured into it.” The Filipino native explains ‘DESERVE IT’. “So much anger, pain and betrayal was what I was feeling at the time and I used this song to express my raw feelings in the moment. I listened to acoustic music like Jack Johnson to get through the hard times a couple days beforehand and I think that's what inspired me sonically.”

Directed by Ray Fiasco, the visuals of ‘WHAT’S A GUY GOTTA DO’ was filmed beside a waterfall and in a field. “Such a special song, it was one of my first sessions collaborating with other amazing writers and producers,” says Troy. “I was still in my head post-breakup, and it took a lot for me to open up to other people about how I was feeling. When I look back i'm so glad I did. The song goes through a lot of the emotions I was dealing with after the relationship ended. It's a journal of my thoughts and vocally this is where I go all out.”

Ray Fiasco and the musician work together again on ‘DARLING’ music video. Troy plays guitar beside an open vintage bus and he skates through an empty forest road in the later parts of the short film. “A self-produced song, where I began to feel the real emotions and realisation that the relationship was over,” the multifaceted artiste describes. 

“This was written during a period where it hurt the most because it was less anger and more sadness. Sonically, there is a lot of experimentation in this compared to my usual sound, and feeling so vulnerable impacted my choice of instruments for this song. I was deeply isolated during this phase and ‘DARLING’ taps into all the unanswered questions.”

The central song on the EP is ‘YOU LOST TOUCH’, which the singer recounts as “an idea that started as a voice note and later turned into a soulful vibrant interlude. It perfectly bridges the gap between the heartbreak and healing side.”

After heartbreak comes healing or, in this case, Disc 2. 

“The first track on the healing side of the EP,  this song was self-written and produced. I made it at the point where I was starting to find myself again,” he analyses ‘DON’T GET MAD’. “After working and taking care of myself, I was starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I started to feel happier daily, and genuinely enjoy activities, which is reflected in the production. As time passed and I began to see things from a different perspective, that's when I wrote this song.”

This concept is reflected in the song’s visuals. Directed by Troy’s brother, Jeff Javelona, the video spotlights Troy on a solo beach picnic during which he plays his guitar. 

“There is such a coastal vibrant blue vibe to this song. A true moment where I finally realised I was healing, a new relationship started evolving and I wanted to write about it,” the British musician addresses the EP focus track ‘SALTWATER’. “I felt like I’d come so far and this new relationship was like the "SALTWATER" to my wounds–a classic metaphor of putting salt on a wound to help sterilise and heal it. This song ties in deeply to the coastal lifestyle I have here in Plymouth and living by the sea.”

The music video for ‘SALTWATER’, directed by Jeff Javelona, further visualises Troy’s perception as he’s seen playing games and having a good time with friends on the beach. 

‘TALK TO YOU’, the final track, centres on having moved on. “The grooviest track of the whole EP in my opinion. This song taps into the lingering doubts of my new relationship when it starts to get serious,” the 23-year-old reflects. “But, in a way, time had helped me move on, so I was able to overcome those thoughts. I remember being in London at the time and I couldn't wait to see her, so I wanted to express my excitement in the song.”