REVIEW: jasmine.4.t Releases New Single, "I Can't Believe I Did This Without You"
WRITTEN BY ANNE TILLEY
✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩
Photo by Shervin Lainez
“I Can’t Believe I Did This Without You” is the latest single released by Manchester-based Jasmine Cruikshank, better known by her stylized stage name, jasmine.4.t. She first garnered attention from founding boygenius member Lucy Dacus, who strongly advocated for the emerging artist upon hearing her demos. Jasmine eventually became the first British artist signed under the Phoebe Bridgers-helmed Saddest Factory Records.
The indie alternative artist kicked off 2025 with her first full length effort, You Are The Morning, releasing in January. The debut was a success, with standout tracks “Guy Fawkes Tesco Dissociation" and “Woman” leading to Jasmine receiving Billboard’s Alt/Rock “Rookie of the Month” award. Exploring themes of individuality, identity, and love, Jasmine’s work chronicles the unique challenges, pains, and victories associated with being a trans woman.
Alongside “Please Can We Hold Each Other Yesterday,” “Did U No,” “Find Ur Ppl,” and “I Don’t Think Anyone Else Could Hold The Same Place In My Heart,” “I Can’t Believe I Did This Without You” is one of the five new songs off of You Are The Morning (YBT Deluxe). The new tracks serve as an homage to the queer friendships that Jasmine credits with saving her life. Jasmine also reflects on her Manchester roots, especially the supportive community that uplifted her upon coming out. Yulia Trot (aka YBT), one such supportive friend of Jasmine and the deluxe album’s namesake, is currently being held as a political prisoner in the UK. The deluxe edition of You Are The Morning is dedicated to her, with Jasmine citing her outrage and fury at YBT’s unjust treatment as the catalyst for some of the new tracks.
“I Can’t Believe I Did This Without You” is an intimate experience, furthering the themes and fresh voice introduced on You Are The Morning. With a knack for crafty penmanship, Jasmine’s lyrics are simple yet specific and humorously poetic (“I love, respect and need you so badly/ ‘Badly’ being the operative word”). Listeners are first treated to a gentle, melodic opening accompanied by mellow instrumentation, which quickly transitions into a ripping guitar ballad. Gritty, witty, and angsty, the track simply rocks.
Although jasmine.4.t’s sound is inextricably tied to that of her boygenius producers, with her catchy hooks and mellow, almost folk-adjacent sound, she makes room for herself. “I Can’t Believe I Did This Without You” highlights jasmine.4.t’s role as one of the most unapologetic and emotionally honest artists in the game.