Subscribe to RSSSoundCheck: Jessie J’s Who You Are
3 Stars out of 5
British singer Jessie J has been making waves in the UK since the release of her first single, “Do It Like a Dude,” earlier this year. Her latest single, “Price Tag,” has added to her popularity in the United States, and her debut album, Who You Are, is a reputable first release for a singer whose only claim to fame until a few months ago was writing Miley Cyrus’s “Party in the U.S.A.”
That said, the quality of the album could be better. While most tracks are listenable and the lyrics are decent, Jessie J’s singing is sub-par. Songs on the album such as “Nobody’s Perfect” and “Mamma Knows Best” fail terribly at showcasing her vocals, and the shaky vibrato in her voice is oftentimes difficult to ignore.
However, Jessie J wrote or co-wrote nearly every track on the album. Songs like “Stand Up” and “Who You Are” are the best examples of her songwriting prowess because both tracks are inspiring and enjoyable. The album also contains songs with a broad appeal and a smooth sound, such as “I Need This,” “Who’s Laughing Now” and “Price Tag.”
Overall, Jessie J’s first effort leaves room for improvement. A few tracks on the album have the potential to become pop classics, but the rest fall flat, making it a bit difficult to classify this album as one to look out for.
Recommended songs: “Price Tag,” “Who’s Laughing Now,” “Who You Are”
