That's Showbiz Baby!＜Blue Cassette＞

With her former girl group Little Mix in the rearview, English singer Jade released her debut solo set, Thats Showbiz Baby! A head-spinning collection of impeccable pop gems, its an instant classic kind of album that features over a dozen could-be-a-hit-single tracks spanning the full contemporary pop spectrum. The multiple Jades running amuck on the cover artwork illustrate that sonic approach: she can spin any style to her own will, like a one-woman girl group. The breathless opening run of this front-loaded effort penetrates the pleasure center as soon as that beat hits on "Angel of My Dreams." The dirty throb of "IT girl," a pounding club track elevated by an ethereal chorus, swirls Doja Cat with Lady Gaga, while "FUFN (Fuck You for Now)" -- co-written with RAYE -- channels the pain and anger of uncovering a cheater with a dark synth pulse that continues in the early Gaga vein. Glimmers of other pop luminaries appear throughout, from the shimmering electro-pop of "Plastic Box," "Lip Service," and "Self Saboteur" (which channel Robyn, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Ariana Grande) to the sparse, electronic menace of "Midnight Cowboy" and "Headache" (which blend Beyonce, Charli xcx, and Kylie Minogue). Elsewhere, Jade puts her spin on throwback nostalgia: "Unconditional" and "Fantasy" hit the disco dancefloor with ease, and "Before You Break My Heart" rides a thick bass rhythm, fluttering flute, and a breezy Supremes sample. In addition to the maximalist pop, there are some moments to breathe on the piano-packed breakup anthem "Natural at Disaster" and the bittersweet closer "Silent Disco." If a superstar like Gaga or Kylie released an album like this in 2025, the respective fandoms would absolutely explode. But coming from a figure that isnt a household name (yet), this one might slide under the radar outside of the U.K. Make no mistake: Thats Showbiz Baby! is a must hear for any fan of euphoric, maximalist dance pop. ~ Neil Z. Yeung