Jade Thirlwall’s That’s Showbiz, Baby!; A Fearless, Flawless Debut Full of Dazzle and Defiance
Breaking free from her Little Mix past, Jade Thirlwall steps boldly into the spotlight with That’s Showbiz, Baby!, her debut solo album, a record that feels like both a declaration of independence and a theatrical high-wire act. Where many girl-group alumnae play it safe with expected pop records, Jade goes in the opposite direction: experimental, genre-blending, and unapologetically ambitious. Disco, grunge, funk, R&B, electroclash, and futuristic pop all collide here, tied together by Jade’s magnetic presence and razor-sharp wit.
The opening track, “Angel of My Dreams,” is nothing short of breathtaking. Hailed as one of 2024’s best songs, it’s a fearless exploration of fame’s double-edged sword, marrying electroclash verses with a soaring, falsetto-streaked chorus. It’s deeply personal too, with pointed jabs at Simon Cowell (“selling my soul to a psycho”) delivered like a kiss-off dressed in sequins. It’s Jade at her most innovative and one of the most impressive pop debuts in recent memory.
From there, she pivots into “IT Girl,” a pulsing, sweaty techno club banger that slyly drops the album’s title, cementing its wink at celebrity culture. “FUFN (Fuck You For Now)” is Gaga-esque in its diva flamboyance, a kiss-off that manages to be both furious and fun. Meanwhile, “Plastic Box” leans into icy electropop minimalism, while “Midnight Cowboy” borrows ballroom’s theatricality for a darker, mysterious turn.
Jade balances these riskier moments with irresistible grooves. “Fantasy” is funk-infused, celebrating sexual liberation with a wink, and “Unconditional” finds her tapping into Robyn-style euphoria while weaving in heartbreaking details about her mother’s illness. “Self Saboteur” could easily slot into a Little Mix album with its glossy, quintessential pop sheen; a reminder of where she came from, even as she carves out her own lane.
She keeps pushing sonically. “Lip Service” toys with bubbly, mechanical textures, while “Headache” hops across genres with restless energy. “Natural at Disaster” is one of the album’s most dramatic moments, starting stripped-back and innocent before erupting into a thunderous, vocal-led ballad where Jade admits “I’m pretty sure you’re the devil.” “Glitch,” meanwhile, drips with R&B textures, a welcome palate shift amid the fireworks.
The back half doesn’t lose steam. “Before You Break My Heart” cleverly interpolates The Supremes’ “Stop! In The Name Of Love” into a disco romp that feels both nostalgic and fresh. And with “Silent Disco,” Jade strips it all back, letting her vocals shine in a way that proves she doesn’t need a wall of sound to command attention.
As a whole, That’s Showbiz, Baby! is both dazzling spectacle and pointed commentary, sprinkling in reflections on fame and celebrity without losing sight of pure entertainment. It’s disco but also grunge, futuristic but funky, a kaleidoscopic debut that refuses to be boxed in.
In the crowded field of girl-group soloists, and multiple artist debuts Jade distinguishes herself by doing what so few dare: going weird, going bold, and going all in. If this is her first act, then the show is only just getting started.
