Flipping Headache by JADE from 70s Disco Throwback to ARTPOP Dance Track
Let's all take a moment for That's Showbiz Baby!
JADE finally released her debut album, That’s Showbiz Baby!, and I couldn’t be more excited. She’s quickly become one of my favorite artists over the past year and I love the pivot she’s made in defining her artistry since being with Little Mix. I took a random look through the album cuts and landed on Headache for this week’s production challenge. I was a little nervous going in blind here just because after her first single Angel Of My Dreams, I wasn’t sure how straightforward the rest of her songs were going to be. Luckily, this one didn’t seem to have such crazy different sections, just based on listening to the acapella.
Here’s the acapella if you want to hear what I heard first:
I ended up having so much fun making this track. Based on how my version came out, I think it was pretty obvious I had just recently listened through ARTPOP, or maybe it being super fresh in my mind just made its usual influence on my production style even more apparent. Let’s be honest, that album is the pinnacle of the style of music I hope to be able to make someday. But wow, was I surprised when I finally got to listen to the original. From hearing her prior singles, I was really expecting the rest of her album to follow suit and be heavily dance-pop infused, but the album version harkens more to the 70s disco and funk influences that have been ever so popular as of late. Take a listen and let me know which style you prefer!
Haven’t heard the original yet? Check it out here:
The album as a whole blends genres in an unparalleled way - everything from 80s new wave to 90s RnB to 2000s scandipop makes an appearance throughout the tracks, and somehow she still manages to build a cohesive sound across the project. I spoke a bit about this in my video reacting to and ranking the full album, but I think that’s truly a standout quality of JADE as a solo artist. Her vocal ability is hard to beat and her talent at arranging vocals shines in every track, creating an easily identifiable sound that carries her seamlessly through without being overshadowed by the production. Regardless of the genre from track to track, her delivery provides cohesiveness, solidifying her personal artistry. You can pick out the references from Diana Ross to Depeche Mode to Robyn, but you never forget that this is, in fact, a JADE album during the entire listening process.
Looking for more?
Find all previous episodes in this series here
And make sure to check out my original music wherever you like to stream: https://snd.click/uh8r