Jae Stephens Has Got Audacity
Written by Gianna Di Cristo
Image courtesy of Cass Meyers
Pop music lovers, rejoice: Jae Stephens is here to serve 2000s pop realness! The 29-year old artist revitalizes our generation’s beloved and nostalgic sound with vivacious vocals, flawless production work and a maneater, go-getter attitude. She doesn’t try to mimic one of the greats, she’s singing her way to the top, and quickly becoming one of them.
AUDACITY is Stephens’ debut album, arriving just short of a year after her second EP SELLOUT. Throughout the album, Stephens embodies the psyche of a young, hot 20-something-year-old. In “ The Distance”, she describes being self aware of her emotional avoidance while twinkling synths that mimic Touch-Tone dialing adorn the instrumental;“ The more that you give the less that I want…Why you gotta shoot for the stars?” With“ Soft Side,” her octave goes higher, but her guard lowers: “ Welcome to my soft side, show yourself around / Nobody’s been in it for a minute can’t you tell? … I’m quick to evict you if you get too comfortable.” Layered vocals wrapped in an electric guitar cameo tie the song together in a big shimmering bow.“ Downhill” rides on a Janet Jackson type beat while basking in the glory of hearing your ex is doing so much worse without you;“ Is it true you got fired? A nail in all four tires? … My friend saw you out, said you’re closer to bald”: news every girl is ecstatic to hear.“ Expensive and Difficult” is seductive in beat and unapologetic. The lyrics“ I like bringing home the bacon / But I still spend yours, that’s reparations” made me chuckle and say to myself go ahead girl!
“Sugar Trap” is undoubtedly the star of this album.
Since AUDACITY dropped,“ Sugar Trap” has found its way into my conscience for weeks, which, in my opinion, makes it a true contender for radio play. The upbeat strings add drama and depth, combined with an infectious melody about the euphemism of candy to one’s body. This absolute earworm takes over my body the minute it plays. My head bops along to the music, and in my mind I’m dancing like I’m in a Step Up movie.
I found myself wholeheartedly impressed with every aspect of AUDACITY. There’s catchy melodies that feel fresh and new, vocals that don’t fall flat or bore me, production that gives its all on every track, and clever lyrics that make me root for Stephens. This is not someone to gatekeep—the pop world needs her.
