Jessie J Knows Best!

Jessie J is here to stay, that’s all there is to it!

The Set-Up:

I had heard very little about her to begin with, but getting the free download of her music video “Price Tag” on iTunes was one of the best decisions I made! She was crazy-looking and very punkish in the video, but there was something so magical about her. Then came her appearance on SNL and my heart just fluttered. She went miles above the recording of her first single and sounded amazing live, but what stuck with me was her second performance of “Mama Knows Best”, going all out with that insane voice of hers (watch a live version below to see what I’m talking about, OK?!) I’ve been waiting for her album to get here for so long, I can’t even tell you how happy I was that for my birthday I was given an iTunes gift card, and I didn’t even hesitate buying the album yesterday.

The Play-by-Play:

The album opens up with the bubbly first single “Price Tag” which is a great look into this kooky singer and what her style is all about. From there, we start to get the attitude with “Nobody’s Perfect”, then switching gears into a sweet little love crush with “Abracadabra”. That’s when we start to hear her big vocal aerobics, going up and down and all around. The girl can saaaaanng!  Then things get stripped down for a live version of “Big White Room”, showing off a little vulnerable side, but quickly stepping it up with her signature little stutter-like quality with certain phrases. She’s a dynamite performer, and you can hear it well on this track. Afterwards, she takes a little throwback to doo-wop, R&Bish music with the sophisticated “Casualty of Love”. “Rainbow” follows that, but there’s not too much to comment on, it’s ok, but not much of a stand out compared to the rest of the material. “Who’s Laughing Now” is her slap in the face to all the haters she’s had to deal with, but rather then getting angry with it, she laughs it off in this kiddish-style song. Thing really start to pick up with her full swagger on in “Do It Like A Dude”. Then comes the highlight for me: “Mama Knows Best” where that big booming voice I became a fan of in the first place finally takes centerstage throughout the entire song! The pop side of her really comes through with the next two tracks: “L.O.V.E.” and “Stand Up”. Soon enough, powerhouse starts to wind down with “I Need This” before going out with a bang for “Who You Are”, the studio version. If it ended there, I know I’d be satisfied, but instead she adds on a second version of “Who You Are” as a stripped down acoustic version she played for a show. It’s a true showcase of an artist who of course sounds great on the recording, but the true talent is portraying that same voice and style in a live setting, even more powerful and meaningful. It’s a beautiful ending with a positive message to never lose track of who you are, always being yourself and living your life for the bett-uh (as she exclaims in her lovely accent).

Random highlight: 

Honey child can drop the F bomb like it’s no one’s business, but it’s all done in great taste (yes, the F word is tasteful!)

The Point:

Jessie J is another addition to the growing crowd of British singers making their way to the US, making a big splash and becoming a big success. What separates her though from artists like Amy Winehouse, Adele, and even Leona Lewis is her personality and spunk, this special rebelliousness that she puts out there. Nothing at all negative, but it’s all a part of who she is. Her voice is impeccable and the talent can go on for days!

The Essentials:

If you’re not looking for the entire album, there are two signature songs you HAVE to get.

I recommend “Mama Knows Best”,

and the live version of “Who You Are”, both in all of her vocal glory, not to mention just how awesome she is to sing in the middle of the day outside of the subway in NYC!