After a five-year hiatus between his last album, Last Year Was Complicated, and now, listeners will find much to love with Nick Jonas’ latest album Spaceman. This is the artist’s fourth solo album following his career, which started back in 2005 with his first album, Nicholas Jonas. After an initial listen-through, I was honestly impressed with every track, and this is coming from someone who is a moderate fan of Jonas. Spaceman is a huge step up from his 2016 album due to its more uplifting, fast-paced tempo and catchy lyrics. From the surface, the 11-track record is impressive, but as I got into the nitty-grittiness of the work, the waters became murkier as to how Jonas pulled off a valuable piece of art.
Floating in music ecstasy
Jonas introduced a new side of himself with his R&B-inspired Last Year Was Complicated, and that tradition continues with Spaceman; however, it's in moderate doses this time. The artist knows how to carefully balance his pop roots with R&B, and I would go so far as to say he includes some soul-inspired hits like “Sexual” and “Deeper Love.” Accompanying the tracks comes brilliant piano work, moderate drums, and of course, Jonas’ vocals to solidify the A-plus-quality journey of sound. Spaceman is not an album for background music: The album is above that level of mediocrity and is for bass-playing technology and loud atmospheres. I can personally see more than one track here winning an award or two.
It’s assumed Jonas worked on the album during the band’s revival and his marriage to Priyanka Chopra back in 2018; explanation as to what lies underneath the words. The tracks “Don’t Give Up On Us” and “Heights” talk about the conflict Jonas had with Chopra, although it’s unclear when. However, roughly 75 percent of the album is a love ballad to his wife, and he admits to taking inspiration from Stevie Wonder and the Bee Gees. Any sign of his brothers and the story behind their rehash remain out of the album, perhaps for privacy. One thing is clear, and that is that Jonas is at the highest point in his personal life.
This is Heaven / And I don't know how this could get much bettеr (Yeah) / Than you and me, herе right now
Better off alone
Jonas and his brothers, Joe and Kevin, collaborated on their 2019 album, Happiness Begins, which touched on their heartfelt reunion after years of divide. Happiness Begins, as well as the brothers’ other collaborative projects, have been sparks of pop fun, but frankly, they aren’t comparable to Nick’s solo works. Jonas has proved himself more worthwhile to listen to besides Joe and Kevin, and Spaceman further proves that point. Jonas cares about the care and presentation of his vocals and sound, which are beautifully represented here. No single track feels rushed or created for a quick cash grab of sales. That’s why the album knocks his brothers’ work down some pegs.
Top tracks:
This Is Heaven
Sexual
Deeper Love
Recommended if you like:
Miley Cyrus
Demi Lovato
Justin Bieber
Sources: BuzzFeed News, Seventeen
Featured Image: Genius
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