Jessie J
Alive
Release Date: Sep 23, 2013
Genre(s): Pop, Pop/Rock
Record label: Island
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Album Review: Alive by Jessie J
Acceptable, Based on 4 Critics
Based on rating 3/5
The big-lunged, anthemic pop of Jessie J's 2011 debut, Who You Are, led to global success and an appearance at the Olympics closing ceremony. The follow-up finds her in undeniably fine voice again, but without such memorable material. Guest star Dizzee Rascal steals her thunder on Wild, while It's My Party is perky enough, but so formulaic it could be from an A-level chemistry paper.
Based on rating 6/10
Shedding the severe black bob, lipstick and nail polish she sported on Who You Are in favor of a stripped-bare look, Jessie J looked as different as she possibly could on the cover of Alive. Musically, however, there isn't much of a change -- or rather, there are too many: she does nearly as much style-hopping on her second album as she did on her debut. A few of Alive's songs nod to her P!nk-meets-Natasha Bedingfield hit "Domino," such as the brassy opening track "It's My Party" and "Sexy Lady," which tries for an empowering vibe but is let down by a weak chorus.
Based on rating 6/10
Jessie J is the UK version of Katy Perry. Or Katy Perry is the U.S. version of Jessie J. However you want to say it, that’s been the typical line on the European singer who struck gold with her debut set, 2011’s Who You Are. In addition to spawning the stateside hit “Domino”, Who You Are ….
Based on rating 2/5
You can't really blame Jessie J for taking to the internet with the news that she had been in the studio with Pharrell Williams. Williams's stock is currently riding high. He co-wrote and performed on the year's two biggest singles: in the last six months, Daft Punk's Get Lucky and Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines have sold something like 16m copies between them.
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