Jessie J emerged out of an eight-year break from the music world with her new genre-bending album that came out last Friday, “Don’t Tease Me with a Good Time.” During that break, she navigated beating cancer, endometriosis, leaving the United States and motherhood. Jessie J did not hold back in this album, revealing raw emotions through each song. Stepping back into the music industry, it seems that Jessie J is reclaiming her identity as a musical artist.

Her first song on the album, “FEEL IT ON ME,” starts with bold lyrics, setting the mood for the rest of the album. In the pre-chorus, melodic guitar and vocals give the song a vibrant yet suspenseful sound as she sings, “complain I get burnt, but I stand so close to the flame.” Following this, a synth-pop element overcomes the deep melody through drums and echoes, adding an unexpected turn to the soft and angelic tone of the song. The transition is not smooth and makes it seem as if a new song is starting, which disrupts the melody and causes confusion. The second and third songs on the album, “I DON’T CARE” and “NO SECRETS,” take on a lower tone melodically, reflecting  Jessie J’s past relationship. In “I DON’T CARE,” her vocals alternate between high and low, with the echo of her saying, “you can’t tell me nothing, can’t fix it with no loving.” Jessie J expands on the recurring theme of self-worth through her ending monologue: “we spend years accommodating those who will never ever be able to understand us … projection in its purest form.”

Track 4, “IF I SAVE YOU,” warmly invites a more uplifting tone. Jessie J playfully retells her past relationship in witty lyrics like “how you gon’ learn how to swim, if I save you?” She ends the song by staying true to her impressive vocals, finding a way to mix her past sounds and turn them into new music. Track 5, “BELIEVE IN MAGIC/ JOY (INTERLUDE),” is truly riveting as it starts with short sentences followed by expressive vocals. Within the interlude, the song takes a complete turn, displaying her creativity. The song ends with a mellow guitar as she sings, “I didn’t write this song for me, you are joy.” The transition between the pieces is not blended well, making it sound like it is transitioning between songs rather than one continuous track. 

Track 7, “I’LL NEVER KNOW WHY,” does not stand out as much on the album. The lyrics are deep and saddening, repeating “how could you say goodbye, without saying goodbye?” but Jessie J could not create emotional depth in the song through melody. In contrast, two songs from the album that are gaining popularity, “COLOURFUL” and “THREW IT AWAY,” are playful and serendipitous. Jessie J breaks “modern” pop vocals by manipulating her voice as she hits high notes that reverberate through the song. She creates layered vocals, adding emotional richness. In “THREW IT AWAY,” her voice is upbeat, and the song distinguishes itself best on the album with eclectic drums, alternating tempos and the chorus that builds up to the lyrics, “I gave you my love, I gave you my love, I gave you my love, and you threw it away.” 

The album ends with tracks “H.A.P.P.Y” and “THE AWARD GOES TO.” “H.A.P.P.Y,” which is almost comical, sounds like a song from a movie soundtrack. Jessie J spells out the lyrics “H.A.P.P.Y,” creating an unserious tone to the song. The song is still uplifting, so it does fit the overall pop album. The final track, “THE AWARD GOES TO,” starts soulful and deep with the lyrics, “ooh, something’s changed.” This lyrical masterpiece reflects that she is finally overcoming the battles she faced in her previous relationship. The piano is thoughtful and complements Jessie J’s raspy vocals. She sings in a deep voice, “I’ve been fighting my worth, but I’m winning my worth.” This song captures her feelings of wanting to let go of resentment and learning how to forgive.

Jessie J returned to music after a break, and it is evident that she is taking a creative turn in her music style and lyrics. She sticks to her roots in her songs, “THREW IT AWAY” and “IF I SAVE YOU,” and shows that her vocals are her unique talent that sets her apart from other pop artists. If Jessie J continues to create music, she must find the middle ground between sticking to her original pieces and finding a way to expand her artistic visions. This album reflects the struggle of wanting to break out of her old persona and pop music, yet still feeling tied to them.

Rating: 3/5