JADE's Debut Album 'THAT’S SHOWBIZ BABY!' is A Theatrical Masterpiece
- Cherrelle Johnson
- Nov 2
- 10 min read
From Little Mix to being a solo artist, JADE has come a long way since getting her start on a hit UK singing competition show. She’s ready to show the world she has what it takes to be on her own and so far she’s doing a great job at it. Her debut album, THAT’S SHOWBIZ BABY!, was released September 12, 2025.
JADE gives us many things on the album. She provides us pop, disco, 90s nostalgia, theatrics, bluntness, vulnerability, and most importantly, an unapologetic her. She’s done with what others want from her. If you don’t believe me, keep reading below.
Tracklist:
Angel Of My Dreams
IT Girl
FUFN (Fuck You For Now)
Plastic Box
Midnight Cowboy
Fantasy
Unconditional
Self Saboteur
Lip Service
Headache
Natural Disaster
Glitch
Before You Break My Heart
Silent Disco
“Angel of my dreams I will always love you and hate you, it's not fair It's so bittersweet I will always want you and need you, you don't care”
The first song on JADE is “Angel Of My Dreams,” which ironically served as JADE’s debut single and video as a solo artist since Little Mix’s hiatus. The song explores themes of fame, identity, and reclamation. “Angel Of My Dreams” begins with a dreamy beat and transitions into a livelier one while maintaining its dreamy essence. The song itself finds JADE reflecting on what it’s like to be part of the music industry. She’s had a lot of time being part of it, from the moment she auditioned for X Factor UK when she was a teen to being in a girl group and now venturing into becoming a solo artist.
Often, music artists have moments when they love the industry and moments when they’d rather disappear from it. JADE expresses how she feels about the music industry, and it's a breath of fresh air, as not many people can do that. She’s reclaiming who she is, and I love every bit of it.
A playlist about fame, bittersweet love, or reflection would suit this song well.
“I'm not your thing I'm not your baby doll No puppet on a string”
Growing up, many only dream of being the IT girl, and JADE knows she is one. She knows she’s one and lets it be known on the second single, “IT girl.” The song explores the themes of empowerment, rebellion, and independence. The beat is electrifying, bold, and chaotic, but in all of the good ways. “It girl” lyrics find JADE speaking on the music industry again. Unlike “Angel Of My Dreams,” however, this song is all about the power and control the industry has on artists and how it objectifies women. She’s tired of biting her tongue and playing by the rules that others in the industry want her and other women to play by.
It’s a beautiful and strong follow-up to “Angel Of My Dreams.” Her callouts to the music industry are powerful messages, and I hope the music industry is listening.
A playlist about empowerment, feminine rage, or defiance would suit this song well.
“Baby, back off out my face right now Don't you tell me to calm down Love you, but tonight you let me down (Down) No more words, just "fuck you" for now”
We all have someone we would love to say fuck you to, even for just a moment. The third single, “FUFN (Fuck You For Now),” is one of those songs that can help say that. The song explores themes of heartbreak, emotional exhaustion, and conflict. The beat gives us a moody vibe. In “FUFN (Fuck You For Now),” JADE has moved on from singing about the music industry. In the song, JADE finds herself done with her significant other after they ended up disappointing her.
She’s angry and tired. Although she’s feeling defeated, instead of calling it quits, she’s telling them fuck him for now and potentially until she has had time to herself. Sometimes people disappoint others so much to the point where they feel like they’re about to snap. It’s never fun having to tell someone you care or love “fuck you” in the moment, but sometimes it needs to be done.
A playlist about breakups, toxic love, or late-night drives would suit this song well.
“Can I have your heart in a plastic box? (Oh-oh) Never used, fully clean, untouched (Oh, oh, ooh)”
“Plastic Box” is the fourth single off THAT’S SHOWBIZ BABY! The song explores themes of jealousy, idealization, and insecurity. This lively and intimate song may have a danceable beat, but the lyrics carry a lot of weight. JADE is questioning her partner due to finding love letters from someone from their past. While she could lash out or cause a scene, she plays with unwanted thoughts in the back of her mind.
All she can do is wish she could be the only person her partner's ever been with. It's very valid and understandable. No one wants to find things from their ex's past that could make them wonder about the worst-case scenario.
A playlist about jealousy, confessions, or overthinking would suit this song well.
“Giddy up, it's the Wild Wild West And I think it's 'bout time for the midnight cowboy”
“Midnight Cowboy” is next up on the tracklist. Before anything, let’s start by acknowledging Ncuti Gatwa’s inclusive intro when singing, "Ladies and gentlemen, theys and thems." The song explores the themes of empowerment, sexuality, and confidence. This upbeat song sees JADE unleashing another side to her and her music. JADE knows what she wants, and what she wants is to be in control intimately with someone. She’s unapologetically owning what she craves and isn’t up for games.
A playlist about seduction, confidence, or femme energy would suit this song well.
“Babe, woo It's a fantasy, baby If you like it weird, I like it (Ooh) I want that”
Want a song that gives you disco vibes? Look no further than JADE’s “Fantasy.” It gives us all the disco vibes. The song explores themes of sexual freedom, curiosity, and self-acceptance. The lyrics are put over a lively, seductive beat. “Fantasy” is about JADE being curious about what her partner’s fantasies are. She wants them to set aside any potential fear and be open to exploring things, regardless of how unconventional their fantasies may be. Exploring things without fear is something many of us might wish we could do, but are afraid to.
A playlist about desire, sensuality, and empowerment would suit this song well.
“Unconditional I will hold your hand forever Even if my heart explodes”
Watching someone you love unconditionally go through something life changing can take it’s toll on you. It can make you feel a lot and wish a lot. JADE knows that all too well and expresses it in her song “Unconditional.” The song's themes are unconditional love, fear of losing someone, and support. This atmospheric and pulsing song is a song about how JADE wishes she can help a loved one through what they’re dealing with. If she could, she would make everything better. Since she can’t, all she can do is show how much she loves them and isn’t going anywhere.
A playlist about unconditional love or support would suit this song well.
“You're bringin' heaven to me (Ah, ah) Why do I put me through hell? (Ah, ah)”
Have you ever had moments where you self-sabotage something that could be a good thing for you before you get hurt or something bad happens? You’re not alone. Many of us have been there, done that, and probably still do it. JADE’s song “Self Saboteur” speaks from the point of view of someone who self-sabotages. The song explores the themes of fear of getting hurt, self-sabotage, and insecurity.
The lyrics of the song are about JADE knowing her worth. However, while she knows her worth, she finds herself doing things that will sabotage stuff with the person she’s with or wants to be with. It can be hard to show your vulnerable side to others, so you can fall into the right ways but easily want to compromise a good thing. It might come off naturally. At the end of the day, there’s comfort in knowing that sometimes giving yourself time can go a long way.
A playlist about self-awareness, vulnerability, or desire would suit this song well.
“Lip servicе, uh (Ooh) That's what I'm talkin' about, yeah Ooh, the whole situation's outta control, uh”
“Fantasy” and “Midnight Cowboy” aren’t the only songs sexual in nature on JADE’s album. Track nine, “Lip Service,” is also sexual in nature in its own way. The song explores the themes of intimacy, desire, and passion. As we've said before, JADE knows what she wants. She knows what she wants, and she’s not biting her tongue in letting someone know.
JADE’s both flirty and bold in all the right ways. She is ready to heat the bedroom up by satisfying her and her partner's desires. Instead of blatantly putting out there what she wants, she does it in a metaphorical and playful manner.
A playlist about intimacy or desire would suit this song well.
“Most people couldn't tolerate this I'm such a headache, but you love me anyway (Hey)
We all have someone in our lives who gives us a headache. Why the talk about headaches? Because the tenth track on THAT’S SHOWBIZ BABY! is “Headache.” The song explores themes of self-reflection, accountability, and flaws. “Headache” is an upbeat song showcasing cheeky lyrics.
JADE knows she has moments where she can go from being in a great mood to being moody and in her feelings. "Headache" focuses on those moments when her flaws become visible. While she can be a headache to her partner, they still want her. At least as far as she knows, she repeats, “You still love me,” as if she’s trying to convince herself of it before she eventually believes it.
A playlist about relationships, flaws, or love would suit this song well.
“Everything you touch turns to ashes You're a natural at disaster”
Most have been there before, a place where someone in their life is toxic. Those types of people can be extremely hard to deal with. Sometimes you want to just call the person out like that. “Natural at Disaster” is a song that does that. The song explores toxicity, emotional fatigue, and self-blame. The song is empowering in a major way.
“Natural at Disaster” is about JADE reflecting on someone in her life who brought more chaos than good. She tried to help the person as much as she could, but, in the end, she just got burnt out in doing so. She’s basically calling the person a natural at disaster, as that’s exactly what they are with their manipulative and negative behavior. Toxic people aren’t people others want to deal with, but unfortunately they do, which makes this one of the most relatable songs on the album.
All I have to say is: protect your peace, sanity, and mental health. If you need to, send this song to the toxic person in your life or simply have it on repeat to remind yourself you don’t have to keep dealing with someone like that.
A playlist about toxic people or closure would suit this song well.
“You're just a glitch Get out of my head, get out of my fucking skin”
“Glitch” is by far the best track on the album. The song explores themes of imperfections, self-awareness, and self-conflict. The song gives a '90s R&B feel over a glitchy beat. Many people go through moments where they battle internal struggles with themselves, whether it’s because of anxiety, being their own biggest critic, etc. It can be a huge struggle for most, while others can hide it well.
“Glitch” is a song that sees JADE battling with her inner thoughts and feelings about herself. She wishes she could shut them off, which, of course, is easier said than done. However, it reminds us that JADE, just like other music artists, is just like us in one shape or form. “Glitch” is that song from the '90s vibes to JADE being vulnerable and relatable.
A playlist about self-reflection, anxiety, or identity would suit this song well.
“You're the dream that I've had for so long You're the one who inspired all my love songs”
Stop whatever you’re doing. Let's start by praising the “Before You Break My Heart” interpolation of The Supremes’ “Stop! In The Name Of Love.” It’s not featuring JADE singing in the present but JADE as a child. The song explores themes of longing, healing, and vulnerability. The song could be interpreted in different ways. JADE, using a recording from her childhood and having someone portray a younger version of herself in her music video for the song, could be looking back at her childhood and wanting to heal or simply reminisce.
On the other side of things, the song could be about JADE reflecting on her relationship with her partner. The lyrics mention someone putting her through a lot. JADE doesn't want to keep going through what she's been going through and end up heartbroken in the long run. That's such a mood, as no one wants to put a lot of time and energy into a relationship only for it to end on a sour or bad note.
A playlist about vulnerability, heartbreak, or emotions would suit this song well.
“Our silent disco we madе Ah, ooh”
The fourteenth and final track on THAT’S SHOWBIZ BABY! is “Silent Disco.” The song explores themes of love, intimacy, and escapism. Unlike most of the songs on the album, the song is on the softer and slower side. “Silent Disco” expresses the feeling of you and your significant other being the only ones in a crowded room. Have you ever been to a silent disco? Whether you have or haven't, these lyrics, the dreamy voice of JADE, and the beat will make you feel as if you’re at a silent disco of your own.
If you don’t believe me, when the song comes on, close your eyes and let the music take you away and tell us what you see. I don't know what JADE put in this song other than her beautiful vocals, but this is a top favorite song.
A playlist about relationships or endless love would suit this song well.
All that’s left to say is that JADE did that! THAT’S SHOWBIZ BABY! is a beautiful and theatrical masterpiece from start to finish. There are no skips with this one. However, if you were to ask my favorite songs, I would say, (and these are in no order): “Natural at Disaster,” “Silent Disco,” “Self Saboteur,” “FUFN (Fuck You For Now),” and “Glitch.” JAD
E has officially entered her solo era with this one and I can’t wait to see what’s to come in the future from her.
