Review - Jessie J - Alive

Jessie J’s debut album ‘Who We Are’ was a mega smash in the UK, launching six top ten singles and winning her a Brit Award (before the thing was even out!). It may not have been the most critically-lauded album in recent history, but damn can the girl sell a single in England.

Sadly, the second time around, Jessie seems to have lost a lot of what made her so successful—catchy pop songs.

I personally have never been the biggest JJ fan, but I can understand where the masses were coming from when they snatched up everything she put out. That “Price Tag” song was pretty damn catchy.

‘Alive’ doesn’t show much growth or shifting as an artist, but that’s not what concerns me; rather, it is the lack of big radio potential. Jessie J is an artist whose purpose is to create smash hits, not to make us reexamine our lives with her art. If she ain’t makin’ me dance, forget it (think: Ke$ha). Sure nothing here is bad, but someone like her isn’t in a position to create anything mediocre.

“Daydreamin” and “Thunder” are sure to please her UK audiences, while “It’s My Party” is her only chance here for an international banger (à la “Domino”). Apparently Jessie is retooling the album for an American ear, so this won’t come stateside for some time.

Maybe she should have done the same the first time around?

Listen to: “It’s My Party”, “Daydreamin”, “Conquer the World (ft. Brandy)”