Jonas Brothers, The Album | Album Review 💿

Jonas Brothers’ The Album is better than expected. Still, the album lacks cohesiveness and doesn’t really move the needle in the band’s career.

“You are the one, the sun, the light of day (Yeah) / You are the wings I need to fly away.” Hmm, promo single 🎵 “Wings” didn’t enthused few ahead of 🎙Jonas Brothers’ 2023 album, 💿 The Album. Furthermore, the second single, 🎵 “Waffle House”, made me skeptical going into the LP as well. Upon its arrival, The Album, in my opinion, is better than to be expected.  That said, given low expectations, perhaps ‘better’ is contextual.  The Album is respectable, has some noteworthy moments, but don’t call it a masterpiece.

“Miracle”

The Jo Bros commence The Album in spirited fashion with the brief 🤩 🎵 “Miracle.” The pop-soul track features ripe falsetto, slick electric keys, strings, and a fat bass line.  “Miracle” hearkens back to the 1970s, while coming off at least moderately refreshing in the 2020s.  Sensual without crossing the line – “You’re something like a full blown miracle / The places your hands go…” – “Miracle” is an enjoyable opener. Next, Jonas Brothers keep the vocal harmonies and sleek production, but also incorporate acoustic rhythmic guitars into 🤩 🎵 “Montana Sky.” This gives “Montana Sky” a blend of Americana and folk-pop. It is not a country record, but it veers beyond the blue-eyed soul of “Miracle.” “Montana Sky” is not a game changing record, but all told, it is inoffensive (“Montana skies, Georgia sunsets / You’re the one walkin’ in my head”).

Give 🎵 “Wings” credit for its dedicated and sweet sentiment – the bros make their point loud and clear about their respective spouses. Where the questions arise is within the execution. “Wings,” despite its two minute length, features five producers: 🎛 Jon Bellion, Pete Nappi, Tenroc, The Monsters & Strangerz, and The Diner. “Wings,” which features a nostalgic, vintage quality, doesn’t sound so orchestrated that it necessitated that many cooks in the kitchen (there are also 10 songwriters 🤯).  Something just feels missing or off, even though “Wings” feels stronger in the context of the album compared to being a standalone single.

“Sail Away” 

The Album rolls on with 🎵 “Sail Away.” It benefits from a catchy chorus and that falsetto. Furthermore, the groove is a selling point, as well as the rhythmic nature of the tune. After listening, “Sail Away,” another decent joint, doesn’t scream hit.  It doesn’t draw one in enough to put it on repeat.  🎵 “Americana” is a contender for the skippable moment of The Album IMO – NO CAP 🚫 🧢.  The groove and some of the musical palette is fine. However, the title and the songwriting provide the evidence it could’ve been 86’d.  True to the title, the Brothers drop American-related things, which includes “Blue jeans and marijuana,” “Springsteen with Billie Jean,” and, “Take the floor from Jersey Shore to Country Grammar / Jay-Z, a little James Dean.” Um, sure… K…

At least 🤩 🎵 “Celebrate!” has no shortage of exuberance. WOO! Also, it is a better song than “Americana.” Leaving the Americana alone (thank goodness), “Celebrate!” takes its inspiration from R&B. “Celebrate!” is fun and loose from start to finish.  It runs only two minutes and change, but it makes the most of that brief duration. Pros: The beat slaps, the horns are spirited, Nick and Joe are amped up, and the chorus is hooky.

“Waffle House”

“No, don’t get stressed, it’s gon’ get figured out / Oh, deep conversation at the Waffle House.” Um… okurrr…  🎵 “Waffle House” marked another instance of Jonas Brothers tweaking their sound prior to releasing The Album.  A step above the meh 🎵 “Wings”, this record, which taps into a 1970s aesthetic, still feels a bit undercooked. The songwriting, with its dumb lyrics about squashing beef at Waffle House is the main offense. Joe performs the first verse, pre-chorus, and chorus.  He speaks to a level of competition between the brothers/band members. Nick echoes a similar sentiment in the second verse.  Despite this, the brothers “Know before the night ends,” “It’s gon’ get figured out.” Furthermore, in the intriguing chorus, “Headstrong father and a determined mother / Oh, that’s why some nights we tried to kill each other / But you know it’s always love.” The theme is clear enough.  Vocally, Joe and Nick sound respectable.  Still, it’s the songwriting, and with so many cooks in the kitchen, you want more.

Summer is clearly on the mind of the brothers on the next few tracks. On 🤩 🎵 “Vacation Eyes,” it is NOT about location, location, location! Instead, Nick and Joe “got vacation eyes” for their respective spouses. Aww! “I don’t need my feet in the sand,” they sing in the chorus, “‘Cause when your body’s up in my hands, I get vacation eyes / And you’re looking summertime, summertime / Summer, summertime fine.” Ooh wee! From there, those Jonas boys and their wives are going to get down per 🎵 “Summer In The Hamptons.” Exhibit A: “Your body takes me to some kind of place.” Oh, snap! Exhibit B, the chorus: “Sex like summer in the Hamptons.” So, rich sex? Apparently 🤷🏾‍♂️! Aside from the sex line in the chorus, “Summer In The Hamptons” is another contender from The Album to consider skipping.

“Summer Baby”

“Know every inch up on that body, but the feeling is new.” Ooh wee!  Summer isn’t over yet for Jonas Brothers! Neither are the feels – emotional and physical 😈.  Another slickly produced joint, 🎵 “Summer Baby” is another ode to the women in the Bros life.  Sure, a summer picture is painted, but ultimately SHE is summer, according to them. The boys shift to their children on the touching, folk-pop cut, 🎵 🤩 “Little Bird.” This reflective, thoughtful cut about fatherhood as a strong case as the best song. Is it perfect? No, but all in all, Jonas Brothers capture the right sentiment and properly execute the songwriting (alongside a million others 😏).  The verse that stands out most is the second, performed by Joe:

“Walked down the aisle, breakin’ my heart

Lay down my pride, I know I gotta let you go

‘Cause he’s gonna love you when I gotta leave you

Gotta believe it when the Lord takes me home.” 

The Album ends in captivating fashion with 🤩 🎵 “Walls.” While alt-pop singer/songwriter/producer Jon Bellion has been all over The Album, this is his only appearance as a collaborator. If you are familiar with his own music, “Walls” definitely sounds like something he had a hand in composing. Notably, the chorus (“If you ever left me, I would die / Even the walls would cry”), the outro (“As we proceed to give you what you need”), and the gargantuan sound stands out.

Final Thoughts 💭

Ultimately, The Album seems to be the perfect title for this album. Why? Well, The Jonas Brothers don’t seem to settle on one style or theme.  Calling The Album daring would be an overstatement. Still, there is variation which arguably holds back this project from being cohesive.  Better than expected based on questionable singles, The Album has its share of moments. Still, it is not earth shattering or groundbreaking pop.

via GIPHY

🤩 Gems 💎: “Miracle,” “Montana Sky,” “Celebrate,” “Vacation Eyes,” “Little Bird” & “Walls”

🎙 Jonas Brothers • 💿 The Album • 🏷 Jonas Brothers Recording / Republic • 🗓 5.12.23

[📷: Jonas Brothers Recording / Republic]