Jessie J // Alive

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We’re going to be honest. When Jessie J came out with Do It Like A Dude, it really annoyed us but that probably came down to the fact it seemed to be played constantly. Then in September 2011 we got to see her live and thought, you’re not bad. Now in 2013 she’s released her second album, Alive

It’s My Party opens the album with it great beat and wanting you just to get into the mood for…well, a party mood before heading into what we can see as a crowd waving, pop tune in Thunder followed in a similar style with Square One.

We’d already heard a snippet of Sexy Lady thanks to a recent advert for Boots and it’s one of our favs and can’t help think it’s another great girl power number. From here we go into a lovely little guitar driven track Harder We Fall that has a bit of a summery feel.

From guitar driven, we head to the piano driven Breathe that to be honest, we can’t help thinking we could see someone like Leona Lewis singing. I Miss Her is one of these great little ballads that Jessie can come up with before we jump into Daydreamin' which reminds us a little of something from the 70s/80s but sounds right for her.

Excuse My Rude that featuring Becky G has feelings of Do It Like A Dude but there’s something missing here. Next it’s into another upbeat track and that the first single that was taken from the album, Wild though to be honest, we prefer it when it’s just Big Sean on it (Dizzee Rascal just breaks the flows…sorry)

Gold is another big track for Jessie which we’d actually like to hear an acoustic version of. Conquer the World is another great little number and as a duet with Brandy does work and has reminiscences of Who You Are for us. Title track Alive closes the album and has a feeling of a 90s track but near the end, lulls you into thinking it’s going into a full dance track, but doesn’t.

For us, we think this album showcases a vulnerable side of Jessie J, yet there are moments where she tries to throw the tough girl act up so it’s not all sugar & spice and all things nice. Vocal range is on show too but as an album as whole, we’re not entirely sure it knows what it is and is a little confused. But it doesn’t make it a bad album. It’s one of the few that we’ve enjoyed this year.

Rating: 4/5