16 · 09 · 2025
The debut solo album from a pop star following the breakup of the group that launched their career is always a captivating event. We are so accustomed to seeing them as part of a larger collective, and especially in a group like Little Mix, where there is no clear lead member, there’s a necessity to amplify everything and highlight their individuality.
Consequently, there's a sense of familiarity with ‘That’s Showbiz, Baby!’: the first endeavor from JADE since the group's indefinite hiatus. This album focuses on properly introducing us to JADE for the first time, and some of the song titles (‘It Girl’, ‘Self Saboteur’, ‘Natural at Disaster’) aim to illustrate that she is a substantial enough celebrity to capture our interest while still being just like ordinary people.
If this seems a bit disjointed, that's because it somewhat is. The opening tracks, ‘Angel of My Dreams’ and ‘It Girl’, both shift from one idea to another without necessarily establishing a consistent flow. For example, ‘Angel of My Dreams’ features an interpolation of ‘Puppet on a String’, discusses the drawbacks of fame, and then delivers the album’s most powerful and memorable chorus. It displays a highly creative intellect, even if it's somewhat challenging to grasp the overall direction.
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In fact, ‘That’s Showbiz, Baby!’ shines when JADE stops exerting so much effort. Tracks like ‘Fantasy’ and ‘Unconditional’ are highly engaging, combining JADE’s flawless vocals with elements of 1970s disco and 1980s electronic sounds, resulting in songs that could easily hold their own alongside Little Mix's most celebrated hits.
There are a few missteps—such as ‘FUFN (Fuck You For Now)’ not landing with the impact she intends—but overall, it serves as a promising introduction to JADE as a solo artist. Additionally, a touching moment occurs in ‘Before You Break My Heart’, where the chorus features a childhood recording of her singing the Motown classic ‘Stop! In the Name of Love’.
The path to pop success is fraught with group members who believed they could thrive independently. For every Robbie Williams, there's a Mark Owen. For every Beyoncé, there's a Michelle Williams. For every Harry Styles, there's a Niall Horan. While this is certainly a good album, only time will reveal where JADE will find her place. It may seem tough, but that’s showbiz, baby.
7/10
Words: Joe Rivers
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The initial solo album from a pop artist following the breakup of the group that brought them fame is always a captivating event. We're accustomed to considering