Jessie Ware - That! Feels Good!
Disco/Pop – April 28, 2023 – 10 songs, 40 mins
ROZ
Growing up, the music of the 1970’s permeated my life. The Eagles, The Bee Gee’s, Boney M., and of course the top of that mountain and my personal favorite even to this very day: ABBA. Oh ABBA, you beautiful creatures; in your heyday you couldn’t make a bad song if you tried. One time I even left a wedding because the bride and groom told the DJ they weren’t allowed to take ABBA requests - I mean you may as well not have a reception at all if that’s the case. I promptly left after this discovery of course. An overreaction? Absolutely. To steer myself back on course from this digression, I’ll say this: when I found out that Too Sweet Reviews would be diving into a disco record this week, I was equal parts elated and hesitant. I’ve never heard of Jessie Ware before in my life, so my trust in her to do the genre justice was iffy at best. With that in mind, here is her fifth studio album release: That! Feels Good!.
Be still my beating heart, justice has been served. That! Feels Good! delivers on all fronts, ripe with all of the aspects of disco music that made it a hit all of those years back. Staying true to my typical form here at TSR, I instantly laser focus on the production side of each record, which hits their mark every time. The drums are unbelievably crisp. The arrangements leave no room for error and stay dynamic throughout. Whether it’s the title track's funky bass guitar, shakers, brass and sax elements, or just in its string arrangements; track one sets the bar that stands firmly throughout the listing. A Rihanna Umbrella-type drum break lays the groundwork for the sensual Hello Love, a nice breather to help taper the energy between dance hits. Begin Again’s trumpets, brass, and harmonized backing layers make for a track that sounds larger than life. Freak Me Now’s bass line could get someone in a catatonic state up and on the dance floor - this album is summer in a bottle.
Vocally, front woman Jessie Ware is on point, with her silky smooth - yet powerful - voice handily keeping up with all elements underneath her. Homage to the living pop icon Lady Gaga can be felt through a multitude of songs, hints of her influence (mainly of her particular vocal delivery) woven throughout Free Yourself’s catchy piano progressions and Shake The Bottle’s ear pleasing ad libs and lower register tonality. The album itself doesn’t break ground lyrically nor does it go into deep waters, rather it opts to tread the surface with fun, serotonin inducing substance. For me I believe this is by design and is what completes it as a through-and-through disco era package. That! Feels Good! is here for you to have fun, it is here to make you - you guessed it - feel good. It does what it sets out to do masterfully, and I see that as a mission accomplished.
Some would say that my enjoyment of this album is based on internal bias. While this is an understandable take with all things considered, in my opinion it is the exact opposite; my attention to detail and expectations are, if anything, exponentially heightened when stepping into the realm of a sound that I’ve enjoyed so immensely throughout my life. It is this fact that makes me all the more impressed with what Ms. Ware and producer James Ford have done on this album. That! Feels Good! may as well be a time capsule to the 1970’s. Jessie Ware is immaculate, the production is pristine and the album as a whole encapsulates everything great about this particular era of music - an era that still echoes throughout pop culture and music today. These are your summer 2023 anthems, ladies and gentlemen. Drink it in.
Overall Rating: 8.9/10
Favourite Song: That! Feels Good!
LUNDI
When this weeks album first crossed my ears my initial reaction was best of the year. It simply blew me away. While playing coy in the TSR album vetting process I had huge expectations for Jessie Ware’s That! Feels Good! but rarely does an album end up being what you first hear. Did the disco fuelled record grow to new heights, fall apart, or just become another middling 2023 effort?
It can’t be overstated how technically sound this album is. The disco direction is a fresh take in today’s musical landscape that does well to pay tribute to some of the greats. The collection of 10 tracks is bright, groovy and aimed at getting the party started. The production is precisely curated blending elements of chart topping pop with disco and R&B. It’s best trait is how quickly it can grab you and not let go.
While Ware herself doesn’t have much impact or insight to the musical composition her vocal power is no doubt the soul of the record. Backed by a well rounded group of supporting vocalists it truly takes you back to a different time. Music is always better in a live setting but bringing this record to life screams of a unique musical experience.
Despite the glaring praise for this album excelling at nearly every technical facet, I will always be a lyricist driven music lover and the lyrical content on this record is downright cheesy. Its positivity becomes tough to listen to on multiple spins and Jessie’s work will be resigned to a couple of tracks being added to the summer playlist. While I get that this mantra is typical of the disco genre, that shouldn’t let it off the hook. There’s zero substance or deeper meaning and I can’t just let that go. I enjoy happiness when it’s like attending a wedding for a happy duo, but this album is like the newly formed couple that won’t quit the public display of affection in the middle of the bar on a crowded night. I get it Jessie and I’m happy for you, but dialing it back would have done wonders for the longevity of this piece of work.
For better or for worse, Jessie Ware goes full disco on That! Feels Good! resulting in a technically savvy album that’s bound to get you moving.
Overall Rating: 7.6/10
Favourite Song: Free Yourself
REID
Who feels like dancing?
Following a six week break from writing and another incredible festival experience together, Too Sweet Reviews returns. I’ll speak confidently for three of us in saying this blog elevated Primavera Sound 2023 to another level. The fruits of our labour paid off as it was one of the best musical weekends of my life.
This week’s review is of the fifth release by Jessie Ware. The 38-year old singer-songwriter from London, England is yet another complete unknown for me. After building toward Prima for months, it felt like somewhat of a checkpoint for us. So let’s get this thing going again and dig into That! Feels Good!.
When discussing this album in Barcelona, Lundi hit the nail on the head. I haven’t been immediately propped up by an album’s opening since Jungle’s Loving In Stereo (2021). T!FG! kicks off with emphatic enthusiasm providing an immediate boost of energy. The groove in the opening and titular track is intoxicating. It’s straight out of 70’s and 80’s funk and makes you wanna boogie. Don’t be surprised to hear this on future movie soundtracks. Free Yourself and Pearls at #2 and #3 keep the momentum going with night-out, throwback disco-like songs. Smart choice with the attention grabbing start for an artist looking to make a splash.
As the album progresses, Jessie boasts strong contrasting styles. Her vocal prowess is excellent, paired with creative synth and groovy bass driven tracks with frequently added horns to give a jazzy touch. I bet her live performance is an absolute treat.
The message of That! Feels Good! is light. Jessie sings about human connection, sex, body positivity and old flings. Things get a little spicy, the most on a TSR review since Beyoncé’s RENAISSANCE. One lyric of particular interest to me from Begin Again reads ‘Why does all the purest love get filtered through machines?’. My own interpretation is this is a criticism of this generation’s social media dating culture. It’s a loaded topic on its own which I won’t delve into too much. But I will say it’s a clever way to put it and at face value, I agree.
The downside of setting the bar so high early is struggling to maintain. The drop off in the back half is noticeable, especially songs 8-10. The other issue is staying power. T!FG! is very enjoyable but the wow-factor from initial listens fades in short order.
That! Feels Good! is a fun and uplifting record. Jessie Ware seduces with retro funk, jazz and promiscuous themes. Does it have the longevity to be remembered as more than a multi-hit summer ‘23 record? We’ll see.
Overall Rating: 7.4/10
Favourite Song: That! Feels Good!