"Jessie Ware - That! Feels Good!" Pop Bliss

 

    I'll be the first to admit I'm a sucker for some good disco. Some people might find it corny and dated, but I've always adored those upbeat poppy choruses layered in with some synths for good measure. September by Earth, Wind & Fire was even one of my most most listened to songs on Spotify one year, though technically that has more to do with the fact that I hardly used Spotify at that time because I simply lacked the funds to afford premium. Regardless, when this album popped up on my radar late last year, it was an instant connection. I was looking for more albums to round out my end of year album list, and so scouring AOTY I noticed this album was being rated quite well. So I put on a couple tracks, and the rest is history. In hindsight this should have been expected, Ware does proudly possess a very large LGBTQ+ fanbase, and I'm not sure if you've noticed from my love for Carly Rae Jepsen, but as a bisexual I do possess the pop sensibilities of your stereotypical gay. Even still, after I was through with this album, I strived to give her discography the treatment it deserved. Honestly, it took me a while, this is by far her most upbeat album, and while I do dabble in sophisti-pop from time to time, this is still easily my favourite work by her. So, with it being the end of 2024, I recommended this album to my friends, and decided it was time to give this album the full review it deserved. So without further ado, my track-by-track review.

That! Feels Good! - Jessie Ware

That! Feels Good! - 75/100 I think I fell in love with this album as soon as I've listened to it. It really is a shame that nothing else in Ware's discography really compares to this album which is kind of easily her most upbeat/fast paced album. I think it really pays off though. Ware just has a sultry voice that really suits the sensual theme of this entire album. I think this album isn't ripping right off the bat but I do think it's a pretty good intro song introduces you to the whole atmosphere this album is trying to create.

Free Yourself - 78/100 To me this is sort of like the slow buildup of the album to Pearls, I'd say this song has a bit more energy than That! Feels Good! but still feels like one of those tracks you serve as an appetizer or entree before the big meal. Of course I'm a big fan of the piano that carries this entire track to give it that steady beat throughout.

Pearls - 100/100 Kind of easily one of my favourite pop songs of the last ten years. Like every time it comes on I can't help feel that pep in my stop as Ware's soaring vocals come in. For a song that's four minutes there really is never a dull moment. This is the culmination from the first two tracks and Ware absolutely hits it out of the park with this track in my opinion. Pop perfection in my opinion, and by far my favourite track off of the album.

Hello Love - 100/100 A part of me just really loves the pacing on this album because after all that energy and dancing Ware pulls you right back in to slow it down with one of my favourite sensual tracks of last year. If I was in a relationship I would absolutely be playing this for them all the time. Whether it be the way the vocals come in soothingly at the beginning, to the horns complimenting everything, or the bridge (especially that saxophone). I just can't get enough of this slow song

Begin Again - 90/100 Easily the best part of the album for me, especially because I'm not that big of a fan of some of the tracks coming up. As someone who regularly complains about how some songs feel too long (though usually they're much longer than this), this song really does not feel 5 and a half minutes long. I love the buildup in the second half of the song where all the vocals start to build up on each other. I'm usually not too big a fan of that sort of thing but that's because usually its the last track on albums just rehashing the choruses of all the tracks preceding it.

Beautiful People - 60/100 Sadly this is where this album falters, two tracks where it tries, but fails to hit for me. I'm not saying it's a bad track but it certainly does feel underwhelming compared to the rest of the album. Luckily, it remedies this by ending on what is in my opinion a very strong finish, so this track and Shake The Bottle don't impact my listening experience too much. The end is better than I remember it being but I still don't think it does enough to redeem enough in my eyes. Not saying I don't think beautiful people are everywhere, but also I just don't like it as much.

Freak Me Now - 75/100 Ah yes welcome to the gay club portion of the album. Like when Chappell Roan included Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl on The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. Even still I think it's a pretty solid dance track though I think the bridge kind of carries it overall. Jessie Ware is just managing the perfect balance of  classy and sensual throughout this entire album.

Shake The Bottle - 60/100 While I do think that this album does give you a good breather in the sense that its one of those tracks that just tries to tell a story. I kind of like the pre-chorus and the part of the chorus before she starts singing about making her bottle pop.

Lightning - 85/100 It's ok though we're back to the excellent part of this album. Honestly, as someone whose listened to Ware's entire discography she has a lot of slowish songs like this, but sometimes she'll just pull out an absolute gem like this track that reminds you that this really is where she's probably the most comfortable.

These Lips - 90/100 I think this might be top three tracks for me off the album. I just love the way she sings about her lips, and the way it sort of descends sonically. Whether it be the chorus or the verses this song really is just a great closer to send off a fantastic album. 

Final Score: 85/100

    This final score should probably be higher. I wouldn't mind if it's an 88 or something, but it'd take so long for me to re-rate all my albums I'll keep it at an 85 for now. I don't think I need to say much in this outro, not because I don't like this album, but because I just kept on gushing over it in the track-by-track reviews. Like yes, I understand I don't listen to many disco albums, but also that's because people simply aren't releasing that many anymore, and I don't think anyone's releasing them like Jessie Ware is. I just think this album is an unabashed fun and easy listening experience, and I just think if you don't enjoy it then you don't enjoy fun. It's not even like it's super corny and you have to get past that either, it's just good, well made disco-pop. What else do I even need to say? The title is right, this album just feels good, and sometimes that's all you need.