JADE's That's Showbiz, Baby! Is A Glittery Pop Opera With A Bite

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Genre: Pop Label: RCA Records

Album Cover for JADE's, "That's ShowBiz, Baby!"

Jade- formerly a member of Little Mix, now a solo force-has officially stepped into her own spotlight with That's Showbiz, Baby! a 14-track rollercoaster of glitter, chaos, and unapologetic pop bravado. It's a declaration of independence, a love letter to pop's theatrical excess, and a wink to the industry that shaped it.

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When discussing with Vogue, JADE claimed, "a bit like a rebirth, which sounds quite cheesy. But I have found out so many things about myself in this process." She called the album "experimental" and "chaotic" in the best way possible. Rather than chasing cohesion, she embraces the variety. JADE makes this clear in her opening track and first single Angel of My Dreams. She sets the tone with a wink and nod to the manipulation of the entertainment industry. The song samples Sandie Shaw and paparazzi clicks and kicks off with a clever little line,

"Hey Mike, let's do something crazy." - JADE on Angel of My Dreams

It's a meta-commentary on fame, and it sounds like a glitter bomb detonating in slow motion. This sets up one of the album's central themes: the surreal, performative nature of celebrity. JADE leads into that pop stardom, which is part cabaret, part circus, and she is a ringleader in rhinestones. Behind the glitter curtain, there’s real pain.

JADE then went on to release four other singles from the album: Midnight Cowboy, Fantasy, IT Girl, FUFN (Fuck You For Now), and Plastic Box. All of these singles reflect the chaotic, genre-bending spirit of the album, which JADE describes as "a mismatch of songs" that mirrors her journey of self-discovery.

IT Girl is a thunderous declaration of identity, flipping between operatic flourishes and electro-house breakdowns.

Clause in the contract, contract gone. Gone is the girl that you could con, con"- JADE on It Girl

It's clear she's done being somebody's mold, nor is she any longer a part of a polished group. She's messy, maximalist, and magnetic, embracing contradictions and celebrating her own complexities. The emotional core of the album comes in Natural at Disaster a synth-drenched slow burn that feels like a break-up letter written in highlighter. Rumored to be about ex-bandmate Jesy Nelson. It's vulnerable, venomous, and unforgettable. The emotional fallout of fame and fractured relationships is present in this song. Plastic Box is another vulnerable track, but not as haunting. It has an electo-pop beat with the juxtaposition of her giving love a chance.

Before You Break My Heart, Headache, and Unconditional are somewhat related in terms of reflection. Before You Break My Heart samples younger JADE singing the iconic Supremes song, the iconic line

"Stop in the name of love, before you break my heart- JADE On Before You Break My Heart/ The Supremes

This song directly pays homage to the Supremes' song, with dual perspectives enriching the emotional depth of JADE's artistic growth during her childhood. The synth pop rock track, Unconditional, is a tribute to her mother, showcasing her love. Headache draws inspiration from funk but still contemplates loving someone despite the stress. These profoundly sentimental songs successfully communicate JADE's narratives.

Lip Service is the playful track of the album, a flirtatious pop track that explores sexual innuendo beneath its sweet, innocent-sounding production. She uses humor and confidence to challenge taboos and redefine empowerment. Originally sparked by Tove Lo, the song was completed with JADE's own twist with her personal flair. In contrast, Glitch is a 2000s R&B-inspired song in which JADE uses the breakup song tropes by personifying her insecurities and "glitch" inside herself.

"I know I'm worthy of love, but I hit and run. I hate it when I give up. I don't get hurt if I hurt you first- JADE on Self-Saboteur

Self Saboteur continues JADE's theme of self-loathing, where she distances herself from others once she begins a relationship with them. Despite the varying themes and sonic landscape of the album, That's ShowBiz, Baby ends on a high note with Silent Disco. A song that describes a couple shutting out the noise of the world, similar to the intimacy of a silent disco.

That's ShowBiz, Baby! is messy, yet magnetic. JADE embraces the chaos, a glittery middle finger to conformity, a love letter to emotional wreckage, and a deeply personal manifesto wrapped in sequins. With themes of fame, identity, heartbreak, reinvention, and self-dialogue woven throughout, this 8/10 debut proves JADE isn’t just surviving the spotlight. She’s bending it to her will.