Jennifer Lopez, This Is Me…Now | Song Review 🎵

Actress and pop superstar Jennifer Lopez celebrates who and where she is now on “This is Me…Now,” the reflective title track from her ninth studio album. 

Four words: “This is me now.” This is Me…Now marks the ninth (possibly final) studio album by Jennifer Lopez. Notably, she self-funded this project, which expresses love for… Ben Affleck.  Fittingly, the album commences with… wait for it… “This Is Me… Now”.  There is plenty to fawn over regarding this four-minute-plus opener, penned by Lopez alongside a star-studded team: Ink, Jeff “Gitty” Gitelman, Rogét Chahayed, Angel López, Kaydence, Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, and Scott Storch. Part of the reason for so many writers is that “This Is Me…Now” samples a 2002 Justin Timberlake classic, “Cry Me a River”. Chahayed and Angel López produced the ballad.

The sound of “This Is Me… Now” is a big deal.  The record begins with sophisticated, plucked synths in the intro – a win! The instrumental intro evolves into warm, fluty sounds which exude amour.  With a sensational backdrop behind her, led by electric keyboard, Jennifer Lopez delivers a solid, appealing brand of vocals.  She sings with sincerity – the authenticity is through the roof.  “But here in the darkness, it’s not the future nor the past,” she sings in the first verse, continuing, “And ‘cause it’s meant to be with you, boy, it will last / You met me halfway.” Aww! The second verse has a similar vibe – no surprise! In the pre-chorus, which brings some contrast to the sound, Lopez highlights the progression to the nowness.  And, as expected, the chorus, which embraces the modern pop/R&B sound, is chocked-full of self-love:

“This is me now

This is me now
And I took my time, lot of winters, summers, baby

And I healed my heart, but I love who I am lately,

This is me now.”

The melodies are tuneful throughout – a selling point! The bridge contrasts the verses and chorus, including J. Lo ‘rapping’ in an undertone.  The closing instrumental is slick, slick, slick! All in all, “This Is Me…Now” is a refined, reflective adult contemporary pop/R&B record that suits Lopez’s artistry.

Jennifer Lopez // This Is Me… Now //  Nuyorican Productions, Inc. // 2.16.24

[📷: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; Nuyorican Productions, Inc.; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Królestwo Nauki, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pete Linforth, Tumisu from Pixabay]