Jade knows exactly who she is on ‘Angel of My Dreams’

by Savannah Roberts @savannahsocials @wordsbysavannah

“Let’s do somethin’ crazy,” is the best introductory line Jade could have conjured up for her debut, ‘Angel of My Dreams’.

The long-awaited reign of Jade as a new solo artist is finally here, and if there is one thing which she is not… it’s predictable. The choir-like hook we’re already so acquainted with thanks to TikTok comes in: Angel of my dreams / I will always love you and hate you / It’s not fair). She welcomes her (patient) listeners into her heavenly world. Before she quickly shatters this angelic illusion into pieces with a thumping bass – queue the chaotic, elective three-act explosion.

“ Care that I’m mad, care that I’m sad / It’s so bad, it’s funny / Care if I cry, care if I die ”

This then ushers in a spoken word-esque section, whispery, sultry and at times atonal but satisfying. The former Little Mix member is playful on ‘Angel’ – as she calls for short – she isn’t afraid to borrow from every corner of her influences and dabble with all the tools in her arsenal. It’s her party after all. This is abundantly clear on the franken-track, it could be 4 or 5 ideas stitched together, all made right with a masterful mix, getting all those working pieces in the right place must have been a science. Jade likened this herself to that of a musical.

Her first single as a solo artist is experimental, she isn’t following any map, in fact, it seems as though she' is drawing her own; one we’re sure artists of tomorrow will follow. Is it typical for radio play? No. Does it stick to just one time signature? Also, no. It’s unlike anything out right now, she’s carving out a sound so separate from her contemporaries.

“There’s something so liberating about making my own msuic” she told Jack Saunders on Radio 1’s New Music Show, explaining that she was ready to deviate from the golden formula she perfected when penning Little Mix songs. ‘Ange of My Dreams’ was inspired by Jade’s “love-hate relationship with the music industry,” a thematic strand that will run through the entire upcoming record.

“ Love when you call me a star / You let me down in the dark ”

All eyes are on new mononym star, she’s spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing an artistic direction, she has no shortage of ideas for her solo work. From Motown to Dance to Gospel to Disco. She has littered her musical world with rich references.

Let’s leave you with Jade’s own words, as she put it so simply yet so accurately: “It’s like being punched in the face,” in the very best way.