The Album

全米初登場1位を記録した前作『Happiness Begins』以来の約4年振りとなるニューアルバムを完成。アルバムのプロデューサーには、ジャスティン・ビーバー、マルーン5、ホールジーなどのプロデュースでも知られるジョン・ベリオンが起用されている。
先行シングル"Wings"は煌びやかなキーボードと口ずさめるシンセ、そして極上のハーモニーでファンキーな80年代のポップスを彷彿とさせる作品になっており、広大なアメリカの大地を背景に撮影された3兄弟の姿が印象的なリリック・ビデオも公開されている。

Having delivered their comeback with ease, the Jonas Brothers were faced with a difficult prospect: they needed to keep the good times of Happiness Begins rolling. To that end, they decided to ditch many of the collaborators from that 2019 affair and hire Jon Bellion -- a songwriter/producer known for previous work with Jason Derulo, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, and Eminem with Rihanna -- as executive producer. Bellion and the Brothers decide to extend the shiny sunniness of Happiness Begins by buttressing the frothy melodies with bright, soulful grooves that split the difference between disco and retro-minded modern revivals. Its a fleet, sleek sound that helps draw attention to the trios natural effervescence without seeming especially sugary. It does seem tailored for the sunshine, though, particularly a stretch in the second half where the Jonas Brothers sing about "Vacation Eyes," "Summer in the Hamptons," and "Summer Baby," all amounting to a summery EP buried in the middle of an LP. Truth be told, most of The Album sounds as if it was made with relaxation in mind; its all shimmering soft rock and tempered disco, soundtracks for Montana skies and celebrations. The exceptions to the rule are "Little Bird" and the Bellion duet "Walls," a pair of slower, introspective numbers that end The Album on a curiously dour note, as if the trio decided theyd had too much fun, so they added serious songs as an afterthought. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

再集結後のセカンド・アルバム。復活自体がサプライズだった前作では、そもそもリリースされたこと自体が奇跡的にも思えたわけで、こうして続きがあるのも喜ばしい限りだ。煌びやかなキーボードとシンセ、得意の80年代テイストのダンサブルなポップ・チューンを思わせる"Wings"をはじめ、名匠ジョン・ベリオンがプロデュース手腕を発揮。安定の仕上がりだ。
bounce (C)狛犬