Album Review- THAT’S SHOWBIZ BABY! By Jade Thirlwall

Former Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall has embarked on her solo journey by releasing her

much-awaited debut solo album THAT’S SHOWBIZ BABY! After her debut solo song

‘Angel Of My Dreams’ was praised by fans and critics alike for its inventive production and

experimental sound. Her debut album was much talked about, and it did not disappoint. This

album is a perfect mix of flair, chaos and ambition. The album is essentially pop but laced

with heavy experimentation. Through this record, Jade has stepped out of her comfort zone

and reshaped her identity as a solo artist with a loud and bold declaration.

Throughout the album, a variety of genres and influences can be found in her songs, with

‘Angel Of My Dreams’, the lead single and opening track, acts as a reflection of

the whole album. The song is a mix of electro club banger verses and a dreamy, angelic

chorus, which is chaotic in the best way. It never follows one sound for too long before

switching to the other, but in the end, it all comes together beautifully.

Jade is at her best when she leans towards disco and electro pop sounds. Her soft angelic vocals blend beautifully with the disco genre in groovy tracks such as ‘Before You Break My Heart’, ‘Fantasy’, ‘Self-Saboteur’ and ‘Unconditional’. These tracks are not just club-ready beats, but they also reveal Jade’s vulnerabilities and are heavy with emotion. On tracks like ‘Plastic Box’, she shows restraint and subtlety with less production and a quieter sound, which contrasts beautifully with the bolder, more showy songs, giving the album texture.

The theme of this album is very bold in the sense that through her lyrics, she is questioning

fame, examining her own self-worth, and is being candid about what it’s been like inside and

outside the spotlight. However, it’s not all bravado; there are glimmers of insecurity with

‘Plastic Heart’ letting her feelings of anxiety and longing come to the foreground. The

ambition with this album is enormous, and to a certain extent, Jade has delivered on it.

However, there are still some controversial moments on the album, with certain songs

sticking to the familiar pop sounds rather than following the risky experimental sound of

others. Tracks like ‘Headache’ and ‘Glitch’ are fine, but they lack the spark of risk that makes

the other songs memorable.

Additionally, there is the pacing of the album. The shift between loud and soft songs feels

abrupt at some points, and the flow of the album is halted. The high-energy songs followed by the quieter ones lack a smooth transition in places. With this being said, the album overall still does a wonderful job of presenting Jade as an established pop star. It’s a declaration that

Jade has found her sound, and she is not afraid of taking risks. With her charisma, energy and ambition, she has brought her own style to pop music, and it is like a breath of fresh air. This album really proves that she is ready to stand in the spotlight on her own.