Calvin Walker
It’s rare for a pop star to be classified as a ‘diva’ during their debut era but, with today’s release of ‘Fantasy,’ there’s no questioning it: JADE is officially that girl.
Diana Ross and Beyonce were able to achieve this…and for good reason. They had years of experience perfecting their craft before stepping out on their own. As members of girl groups, they understood the nuances of the studio and stage before ever stepping out on their own. The same can be said with JADE.
Thanks to her time in Little Mix, one of the bestselling girl groups of all time, JADE has taken her raw talent, a decade of successful industry engagements, and has brought it all together as a solo artist. This is painfully on ‘Fantasy.’
The song, a disco-tinged affair produced by Mike Sabath, sees JADE expressing her desire for people to sexually liberate themselves. “Whatever floats your boat, I’ll help you sail away,” she sings on the first verse. “What is your cup of tea? I’ll sip it, and I’ll add the sugar, babe.”
And ‘Fantasy’ is definitely a sweet treat.
Her vocals are sublime. As JADE flexes her ability to effortlessly switch between breathiness and belting, you can’t help but bop your head. It’s only her second official single, yet she’s demonstrated her ability to experiment while weaving in all of the trademarks her fans have come to love.
David LaChapelle, a legend across creative disciplines, directed the music video. As we near Halloween, he has given us campy horror brilliance.
In the clip, JADE performs on a stage while others live their best Soul Train lives on the dance floor. But haters are gonna hate and she gets a bucket of blood dumped on her. Is there any wonder why she snaps and goes on a killing spree a la Carrie?
With ‘Fantasy,’ JADE does more than give us a sonic and visual escape. She inspires us to turn our wildest dreams into our realities…no matter how silly or freaky it is.
Now, Miss Thirlwall, where’s the Tinashe collab because that is a fantasy I need to see happen ASAP.
