Nick Jonas’ new album Spaceman presents a stunning creation of honest, artistic lyrics and genius musical fusion, brilliantly encapsulating the roller coaster of emotions that this last year has presented us with. Nick has explained that “music has always connected the world and helped us to heal” and it seems that Spaceman couldn’t have landed at a better time.
The album explores four themes: Distance, Indulgence Euphoria and Commitment, and we are transported through expressions of these experiences progressively through the record. The themes allow for a sense of growth and provide an emotional journey for listeners to go on. Nick has recognised that these concepts have been, and continue to be, familiar throughout this time we’re all living in, so there is a real sense of poignancy, as well as a celebration of that one thing that remains unchangeable and matters the most- love.
Don’t Give Up On Us is the first and one of my favourite tracks on the record, introducing us to the highly modern rhythmic and synthesised vibe with an almost 80’s electronic style. The beginning pulse-like beat reflects a similar sound to one of his earlier singles Chains, but although there are some similarities to his previous music releases, this record is remarkably distinctive. My favourite aspect of the album is the incredible combination of genre influences, from techno to soul and gospel, from dance to even jazz hints, and its ambient fluency between tracks really cements it as one impressive artistic work.
Spaceman was the first single to be released ahead of the full album of the same title, and has achieved the coolest outer space sounds a non-astronaut could imagine. It really gives the sense of being in a spaceship with distant “zwooping”, muffled humming and mellow, electronic notes and beeps. I particularly love the juxtaposition of distant, disconnected effects with highly relatable lyrics, like “mask off minute I get home” and “hard times make you love the view/ right now think I’m getting through/ only way that I can”, which beautifully mirror our shared yet completely alien experience of this last year. Nearer the end of the track there’s a short, stripped back verse with nothing but gentle guitar strums which beautifully contrasts the spacey atmosphere and gives it a sense of gravity and earthiness before the electronic music lifts back up. The second album-teaser single to be released was This Is Heaven and with its fun rhythmic patterns and catchy chorus, this is one tremendous piece of music! The verses are subtly sensual, expressing an excitement and a slightly cheeky feel. Its playful pre-chorus builds up to a burst of glorious choral melody which really does elevate your spirit!
Nick Jonas fans will know just how much of a sucker is for a falsetto vocal, and this album really let’s those heavenly high-pitched pipes shine! It is equally as gorgeous when his rich, deeper vocal leads the melody, but the layering of the two in harmony is the most charming. Delicious is another favourite track with a real party feel- the highly catchy, rhythmic melody, funky brass and the slightly more than occasional “woo!” really begs a good boogie! It’s fun, bouncy and musically delicious! Sexual is the most sensual track on the record and is a whole new, fresh vibe, and the slightly hushed tones in the chorus give it a real intimate, almost secretive feel. Think a smooth two-step groove with some added cheeky shoulders.
What’s lovely is knowing that most of the lyrics are personal to Nick’s relationship with wife Priyanka Chopra-Jonas. In the final two tracks Death Do Us Part and Nervous we get a stunning snapshot of Nick’s heart and his commitment to his marriage in the most musically creative and beautifully lyrical way.
Nick’s new solo album comes just under two years after he and his brothers, Joe and Kevin, released their first album back together as the well-loved (and well-missed) Jonas Brothers. But before any of us could start worrying what this lockdown solo project means for the band, the boys have comically but honestly assured fans that they’re going nowhere and have even cheekily teased new Jonas Brothers music, with one of their new songs Selfish even featuring on the deluxe version of Spaceman. Nick’s new album couldn’t be more supported by his brothers and the album itself, whilst expressing a unique, unconfined style, definitely shows influence from the brothers’ newer Jonas Brothers material as well as Joe’s dance-rock band DNCE.
From deep, heartfelt emotion to fun, optimistic and even humorous expression, Nick Jonas’ new album is a beautiful and honest collection of songs illustrating the crazy ride that is life. So wherever you are between the highs and lows of life there’ll be a song for you, and whatever vibe gets your musical taste buds tingling, you’ll be sure to find a flavour of it in Spaceman.
(Image source: stereogum.com)
Review also published at https://writebase.co.uk/2021/03/18/spaceman-album-review-nick-jonas/
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