Nick Jonas has been steadily separating himself from his Jonas Brothers persona for the past few years and with his sophomore album, Last Year Was Complicated, he's definitely making sure his audience knows that he is no longer the youngest Jo Bro with the curly hair and shy smile.
While this is not Nick’s first attempt at going solo without his brothers (RIP Nick Jonas & The Administration), his latest solo venture has completely severed his ties to the past. His sound has evolved from being the lone falsetto in a group singing about unrequited true love. The current single, “Close,” gives fans an accurate sample of the sound of Jonas’ second album. It’s sultry and features his signature crooning but also focuses on the feeling of wanting to get close to someone who is resisting, kicking off the emotional depth of the album.
Aptly titled Last Year Was Complicated, the album chronicles Jonas’ high profile breakup with ex-Olivia Culpo with all but two songs penned by Jonas & Co. “Champagne Problems,” likely the "deepest song" on the album, is a sad song masquerading as a party hit, while “Don’t Make Me Choose” describes the turmoil Jonas faced during his breakup. Featuring lyrics like, “don’t make me chose/between my love and my life,” and, “if you really love me/you would never judge me/I would never do that do you,” it’s easy to see how the breakup, which came right as Jonas started production on the album, affected him.
In regards to the song Jonas explained in a Reddit AMA that, “'Champagne Problems' is a song about sharing a bottle of champagne with my now ex as we were breaking up to kind of close that chapter. It was sad and slightly sweet at the same time. It was a range of emotions and feelings and I think this song, although it sounds like a party song, actually has some of the deepest lyrics on the record.” The lyrics suggest that this bottle was actually being saved for the two to use for celebrating their own engagement in the future.
However, the best song inspired by his tumultuous year is definitely “Chainsaw.” It’s angry and raw, full of the emotions and expletives that perfectly define that post-breakup period of wanting to, “fill the space/with tight dress and a pretty face,” while also wanting to, “break the f--king china/’cause it’s just one more reminder/you’re gone.” This isn’t the same boy squeaking out teeny-bopper hits with his brothers while wearing a purity ring; this Nick is showing off the true depth of his musical talent, songwriting included and is solidifying his status as a true standout solo act.
Despite his Complicated year, Jonas’ multitude of comparisons to fellow ex-boybander Justin Timberlake are well earned; though their falsettos and musical pasts may be similar, it’s their breakout sophomore albums that truly cement the comparisons. Much like Future Sex/Love Sounds catapulted Timberlake into a solid solo star, Last Year Was Complicated proves that Jonas is in for an equally long and successful career.
Our song recommendations? Besides current single “Close" (feat. Tove Lo), “Champagne Problems,” “Chainsaw,” “Don’t Make Me Choose,” and “Good Girls (feat. Big Sean)” are going to definitely be stuck in your head all day.
Last Year Was Complicated is out now.