Joe Jonas says he’s ‘chronically online’ as he teases new music at private event

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Times Square New Year's Eve 2025 Celebration - Source: Getty

Joe Jonas, who calls himself “chronically online,” chose to share his new single “Heart by Heart” at a phone-free event in New York City on April 24, 2025. The gathering at Bleecker Street Bar was part of Heineken’s Off Socials campaign; which aims to tackle digital overload by encouraging attendees to disconnect from their devices.

Before its official midnight release on April 25, Jonas performed the song live for fans and used the same venue to film its music video.

“I’m excited that I finally get to share the music I’ve been holding onto for a year,” he told PEOPLE.

This track is the third single from his upcoming album Music for People Who Believe in Love, due May 23, 2025.


How the social event encouraged a phone-free atmosphere

At Bleecker Street Bar, guests were instructed to leave their phones aside to keep the performance off social media. Morningstar reports that Heineken launched this initiative with global influencers to help people reconnect in person rather than online.

Despite the request, several attendees still recorded brief clips of the debut. Jonas noted that moments without screens are rare in his touring life, making the experience feel “nice” and focused.

The evening combined a live debut of “Heart by Heart” with behind-the-scenes filming for the song’s one-take video. This approach reflected the campaign’s goal to get people talking face-to-face instead of scrolling.


How Joe Jonas described his online habits and why he values unplugging

Joe Jonas admitted he is “chronically online” and sometimes gets caught in a “death scroll,” which can pull him away from real moments. He compared the phone-free setting to his experience at the Masters, where no devices are allowed, and said the initial panic subsided once he realised “the world is still revolving”.

“This is a nice reminder to just be present with your friends and family. You can shut your phone off for a few hours and hang out,” he added.

He shared these reflections during a break from the video shoot, tucked into a bar booth. Joe Jonas said he was “not mad” at a phone-free crowd since it allowed a clearer connection through the music.


How “Heart by Heart” fits into his solo project journey

“Heart by Heart” follows earlier solo singles “Work It Out” and “What This Could Be,” and marks his third release from the upcoming album. The song was co-written with Lewis Capaldi, Oscar Holter, Savan, and Max Gsus, and showcases Jonas reflecting on lost love over acoustic guitar and keys.

According to Wikipedia, production credits include Oscar Holter, Savan Kotecha, and Fat Max Gsus. At the Off Socials event; he emphasized the song’s intimate feel in front of a crowd; encouraging them to listen rather than record.

As part of Music for People Who Believe in Love, the single highlights his move toward more personal themes in his solo work. The arrangement places his vocals against sparse instrumentation, underlining the reflective tone.


How the album came together and evolved over time

The project began when Joe Jonas wrote “Only Love” during a Jonas Brothers songwriting session and asked his brothers if he could pursue it solo. With their approval, the rest of the album came together in a matter of weeks. Initially slated for October 2024, Jonas delayed the release into May 2025 to add key tracks like “Heart by Heart”.

Joe Jonas described the gap between his first solo album Fastlife (2011); and this new record as “a lot of life” that gave each project “its own legs”. Music for People Who Believe in Love features guest appearances from Domi and JD Beck to Sierra Ferrell and Luísa Sonza, reflecting an expanded creative circle.


Joe Jonas’ choice to debut “Heart by Heart” in a phone-free setting underscored his effort to balance an active online presence with real-world connections. By stepping away from screens, he invited fans to experience the song’s emotional depth without distraction. His candid admission of being “chronically online” drew attention to the value of unplugging in a digital age.

Rolling Stone notes that “Heart by Heart” finds Jonas “longing for love” against a simple acoustic backdrop, setting the tone for the full album. Music for People Who Believe in Love arrives May 23, 2025, promising songs shaped by these personal insights and moments of unplugged clarity.

Edited by Sezal Srivastava