Album Review: Jessie J, Who You Are (for The Music Network)

08 March 2011

by Poppy Reid

What first strikes a chord on Jessie J's debut is that the BBC Sound of 2011 winner is unabashedly proud to accentuate her British accent. On opening track and single Price Tag the Londoner's vocals contrast with featuring artist B.o.B who seems to have gotten a little lazy as his component seems to be ripped straight from his and River Cuomo's collaboration, Magic.

Nonetheless, Jessie J's offering is a little gem of commercial radio heaven, the almost 22-year-old channels Rihanna with her deep rusta growl on Nobody's Perfect, Nicki Minaj for her pop-hop attitude on first single Do It Like A Dude, Christina Aguilera on the cabaret-esqueMama Knows Best, and Katy Perry on Abracadabra (which has the tone and pitch of Teenage Dream); "I can be all you want, I just wanna be your girl," she sings.

At times, her to-a-T pop structure, voice and music can compliment the themes of forgiveness, the importance of being yourself and (of course) lurve a little too well, as these are themes that only scratch the surface of what an accomplished young woman Jessie J really is.

Redemption is found on Big White Room, a ballad which touches on the heart condition she developed after suffering a minor stroke as a teenager. This track makes up for the lyrically naff Casualty Of Lovewhich could have been scrapped and left the album at a well-rounded 12 tracks instead of 13. The same could have been said for I Need This if it wasn't so structurally genius; her unique arrangement keeps you guessing and guessing.

No pop release would be complete with a little bit of corn; Jessie J gets slightly poxy on L.O.V.E with lyrics like "I said I'd never write a song about love but it feels this good a song fits like a glove." However, you do get a sense she's well aware of it and doesn't care.

Final song and title track, Who You Are, could be the soundtrack to your kids' high school graduation, “don’t lose who you are in the blur of the stars,” she sings. But the best part about her debut is the fact she proves you don’t have to seek out a ghost writer to produce accessible pop.

Jessie J is a talented writer and singer who is able to tap into the commercial sphere and sprinkle radio-ready magic on almost every single track.

Who You Are is out now through Universal Music.