Julia JS (real name Yuliia Ilina) is an extremely talented composer, performer, and producer whose skill and passion (quite literally) do not translate well to English. The Ukrainian-born singer released a flurry of singles in early 2026, most of which are in her native language but a few of which are in English. If all you listen to are her English-language singles, you might be too distracted by the clunkily written lyrics and the thickly accented singing to notice how artfully composed and solidly produced most of Julia JS's songs are. (It should be noted that she has produced, mixed, and mastered most of her own music, alongside recording many of the instruments, in particular the piano and keys.) The best case study is her song "Is Love," which is currently the only song she has released in multiple languages. The original version, "... есть любовь," is notably better than its English counterpart -- it might even be the best song so far in her budding catalogue, with dark electric guitar chugs that recall Stryper balancing out theatrical keys and melodies that recall ABBA. Most of my reference points for Julia JS are from the mid-to-late 1900s, as her extensive training and experience seem steeped in the history of traditional and classic pop. But again, those strengths get obfuscated when Julia JS sings in English: her performances lose energy and conviction, her lyrics are less euphonious, and even the pitch and timbre of her voice falter (again, as can be observed when directly comparing "... есть любовь" with "Is Love").

That brings us to another of her newest singles, the English-only single, "I Wake Up and Smile." This song forfeits the musical bombast of many of her other singles (which usually opt for full bands, replete with synth layers and booming drums), simplifying matters to just an acoustic guitar; and rather than building up to some big crescendo, the song shows the restraint of simply being an acoustic ballad, with lovely guitar picking throughout. Yet, while Julia JS's lyrics are hopeful and well-meaning ("Your Word inspires me to live / And guides me to forever"), the English language delivery simply does not do any favors to how skillful she sounds in her native tongue. The melodies were clearly written to follow along closely with the acoustic guitar picking, but her cadence often falls out of time. She has also succumbed to the popular production/mixing advice that you should always layer multiple takes of lead vocals atop one another, which is a production choice that plagues this song. It's true that many modern productions include more layers of lead vocals than most listeners would ever guess, but it's also a practice that takes meticulous editing and mixing to work well -- not to mention that this advice does not apply equally to all genres and styles. For a simple acoustic ballad, she should have gone with a single, natural lead vocal take; instead, unfortunately, this track is regularly hampered by the vocal layers clashing with one another. All considered, I would more so recommend listeners spend their time checking out her wonderful singles like "Маленькое чудо" or "Моя душа навік твоя."

- Review date: 3/25/26, written by Chase Tremaine of Jesusfreakhideout.com

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Record Label: None
Album length: 1 track: 2 minutes, 51 seconds
Street Date: March 1, 2026
Buy It: Amazon Music

1. I Wake Up and Smile (2:51)LYRICS

 

 

Jesus Freak Hideout: Congratulations on your victory in Iowa, Yuliia! How significant is this International Folklore Competition for the American music world?

Yuliia Ilina: This is an international platform where authenticity and originality are evaluated. My victory (Laureate I Prix) in the Author's Performance category, chaired by Dr. Riexela Christian, is recognition at the highest level of American music experts. For me, this is confirmation that Christian music can, and should, compete in quality on the secular international stage.

JFH: Your song "Thank You" has become a hit. What do you think the secret to its success?

Yuliia: This song is the result of my many years of experience as a composer. It has received a tremendous response: it's one of the most downloaded songs on the Holychords platform. I see hundreds of Christian churches around the world using my original chords and arrangements. This is the main criterion of success -- when your contribution becomes part of the culture of an entire community.

JFH: You head JS studio LLC in the US. What role does your studio play in the industry today?

Yuliia: As head of JS studio LLC, I'm involved not only in creative work, but also in setting quality standards in Christian production in the US. We create a bridge between creators and listeners. My role here is expert: I select material, create arrangements, and help new talent sound professional.

JFH: The JS studio will be three years old in May 2026. What results have you achieved in this short time?

Yuliia: Over these three years, the studio has become more than just a place to record my songs; it's become an important educational center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We've created a unique environment for music education for both children and adults. For me, as director, it was critically important not just to teach notes, but to help each student, at any age, develop their talent in a Christian way. Over the three years of operation, the studio has trained over 150 students, demonstrating the demand for our highly professional approach in music education in the US.

JFH: You also organize concerts for your students. Tell us how this impacts the local community.

Yuliia: Organizing concerts is the culmination of our work. Over the past three years, we've held several landmark performances and themed music concerts where my students have been able to showcase their talents on the big stage. As the director of JS studio LLC, I oversee all preparations: from selecting the repertoire and writing the script to staging the show. These events bring families together and strengthen cultural ties within the community. Seeing children perform the music we've been working on in the studio is the highest recognition of my expertise as a teacher and organizer.

JFH: What are your plans for the future in the US?

Yuliia: I plan to expand the activities of JS studio LLC, scale up educational programs for songwriters, and continue to write music that will be heard in every church. My goal is to strengthen the position of contemporary Christian music nationally in the US.