Review Of Nick Jonas' New Album: 'Last Year Was Complicated' | The Odyssey Online
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Review Of Nick Jonas' New Album: 'Last Year Was Complicated'

Last year may have been complicated ... but one thing is not for sure: this album is amazing.

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Review Of Nick Jonas' New Album: 'Last Year Was Complicated'
International Business Times

Nick Jonas, former Jonas Brother, just released his second album as a solo act (third if you count Nick Jonas and the Administration) on June 10, 2016. Just last month, the world was gifted with 12 new songs including popular hits such as "Close" and "Chainsaw." However, after listening to the album, it is safe to say that Nick Jonas is not only strikingly handsome, but an amazing artist.


Track 1: "Voodoo"

The album opens with this upbeat song. It's about someone having power over you or as Nick sings about "voodoo." It is clear that part of what made "last year so complicated" for Nick was his very public breakup with Olivia Culpo (“If this is what you’re calling love, I swear I’m better alone”). The borderline exotic beat makes you want to dance, but at the same time go and punch your ex in the face.


Track 2: "Champagne Problems"

The follow up track to Voodoo is another unique upbeat song with a more techno influenced beat. This song, clearly another example of Nick using his heartbreak as musical inspiration, focuses less on the breakup and more on the aftermath. Instead of being sad, this song is about getting drunk and having one last fun night together. I love how Nick can turn a song about a breakup (typically a sad topic) into one that makes you want to dance on a table with a bottle of bubbly in your hand.


Track 3: "Close (ft. Tove Lo)"

This song was heard on the radio before the album itself was released. However, no matter how many times I listen to it, I still don't get sick of this amazing duet. First of all, this is arguably one of the catchiest choruses. If you can remember the word "close", you can sing along. Tove Lo, a talented singer, paired with the youngest former Jonas Brother's ability to falsetto makes pure magic.


Track 4: "Chainsaw"

Finally, a slow song comes in and ruins the dance party. Instead, you just want to curl up in a ball and cry when you hear this. It's about coping with a breakup and facing the pain of having to move on and let go. Nick Jonas, if you're reading this ... I can be a shoulder for you to cry on.


Track 5: "Touch"

This song alternates from guitar strings to beat drops. Although this sounds like a weird combination, it somehow works. This song is adorable ... If you weren't in love with Nick Jonas before, then listen to this song and you'll 100 percent catch the feels.


Track 6: "Back (ft. Ty Dolla Sign)"

Not exactly sure what Nick is talking about in this song and what "bacon" means (95 percent sure it has to do with a girl and not meat). But, it's ok. This song is about freedom and doing what Nick wants to do. Nick Jonas clearly grew up from the curly headed guitar player that I fell in love with when I was 9 and this song is a testament to it.


Track 7: "Good Girls (ft. Big Sean)"

This song could potentially be my favorite song on the album because its brutally honest. Nick is almost calling out the "bad girls" who do things just for attention. Instead of ridiculing them, he suggests that its not girls' fault, but rather society's. Typically in modern music, it's the opposite ... "good girls" are encouraged to be "bad."


Track 8: "The Difference"

This song is about Nick trying to pursue a girl who has reservations about dating him. Although this is not realistic, because Nick is literally the definition of perfection, Nick pleads his case in this upbeat song. In his song, he claims he's different. But, this album itself is proving his unique artistic ability.


Track 9: "Don't Make Me Chose"

Once again, the album slows down with this song about balancing what sounds like his love life and his music. I can't help but speculate that this song could be potentially highlighting one of Culpo and Jonas's relationship issues. Nick is singing that he wants both and can handle both, but in the end he typically loses no matter the outcome because he loses something he loves. This song is raw and honest and I love it.


Track 10: "Under You"

This is yet another song about being haunted by his ex and "never getting over not getting under you." This song gives me flashbacks to the Jonas Brothers ... It's rock-pop sound brings me back to Nick Jonas and his afro days. I swear he even sounds like his brother Joe in the bridge.


Track 11: "Unhinged"

This more acoustic sounding song starts with just Nick and a piano. This song is raw and honest regarding the problems he faced in his relationship. This relationship is a critical metaphor for the relationship and even Nick himself; broken and "unhinged." After listening to it, I feel as if this was almost a letter from Nick to the girl who broke his heart (maybe Culpo). This song is beautiful and genuine.


Track 12: "Comfortable"

The album ends in another fun dance song that switches off between high tempo and slower beats. I feel like this is a song that you listen to when you're going 85 on a highway with the windows down. The song is spewing with confidence and charisma.


Overall:

This album is a mixture between upbeat dance songs and raw emotion. Last Year Was Complicated is a great example of Nick's versatility as an artist and his ability to dabble in different genres of music. Artists write from personal experience and this is a testament to that. I think this album is amazing.

Last year may have been complicated for Nick ... but one thing is for sure not complicated ...

This album is a work of art.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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