That's Showbiz Baby! The Encore

スーパー・ガールズ・グループ＜リトル・ミックス＞のメンバー=ジェイド
自身のデビューアルバムに新たな楽曲を追加収録したデラックス盤『THAT'S SHOWBIZ BABY! THE ENCORE』

世界トータル・アルバム・セールス約1,750万枚、累計ストリーミング再生回数296億回を誇るスーパー・ガールズ・グループ＜リトル・ミックス＞のメンバーであり、2024年7月に待望のソロ・デビューを果たしたイギリス出身のポップ・アイコン=ジェイド。ソロとしてのデビュー・アルバム『THAT'S SHOWBIZ BABY!』に新たな楽曲を追加収録した『THAT'S SHOWBIZ BABY! THE ENCORE』。

記念すべきファースト・シングル「Angel Of My Dreams」、LISAの楽曲「Born Again」のコラボでも記憶に新しいRAYEらとの共同プロデュースによるシングル「FUFN (Fuck You For Now)」、ジェイドならではのユニークなアート性と力強いポップサウンドが融合した楽曲「Plastic Box」等のオリジナル盤に収録された楽曲に加え、パワフルなシングル「Church」、アンセムとなる「This Is What We Dance For」、マドンナのカヴァー曲「Frozen」を含む全8曲を追加収録。

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