JON MORENO – Arts and Entertainment Editor
1.”All This Time” – “I put it right in your face, girl it’s yours, all you gotta do is reach out and grab it,” says Joe Jonas in the intro track to his debut solo album. Despite my mind being in the gutter, this song isn’t too bad. It won’t blow away anyone but it at least gives me the curiosity to continue listening. 2/5 Owls.
2.”Just In Love” – Joe definitely is taking more of an urban sound as a solo artist. It’s a smart move. No one wants to hear the same thing they listen to when they listen to the Jonas Brothers. If a singer is going to separate himself from a group to make a record, make it refreshing and not a carbon copy of the group you came from. But whether the song is actually good is another question. It’s quite repetitive and doesn’t offer much. 1/5 Owls.
3. “See No More” – OK, Joe I see you. This track here is solid with a melodic drum pattern that results to pop radio-ready music. Vocally, Joe proves he can hold his own without the help of his brothers. The chorus is hypnotic and will impress first time listeners who may not have known what Joe is capable of on his own. 3/5 Owls.
4. “Love Slayer” – Seems like albums nowadays need to have songs that give off an electro vibe, no matter the genre. Kanye and Jay-Z did it in Watch The Throne so why can’t Joe? However, Joe’s attempt at it is rather dull and not as hard hitting as it could be. Despite the last track, Joe’s hooks are extremely weak and this continues that pattern. 2/5 Owls.
5. “Fastlife” – One hopes that if an artist names his/her album after a song title, then that song should be the best on the album. I’m not sure if I’m convinced of that here. Once again, the hook leaves me wanting for more. His hooks sound shallow and half-assed. 2/5 Owls.
6. “Make You Mine” – Oh, you just have to love generic song titles. The breakdown towards the end is nice but chances are you won’t be listening that far into the song. 2/5 Owls.
7. “Sorry” – Joe should really be apologizing for recording a crappy album so far. 1/5 Owls.
8. “Kleptomanic” – Interesting title, interesting dubstep beat and finally not a bad song. The beat and Joe’s vocals are very cohesive and fit hand in hand together as this song makes me wonder if Joe should fall back from the soft crap like “Sorry” and stick to making club anthems like this one could be. Find the right DJ to mix and scratch this record and Joe Jonas has a hit, ladies and gentleman. Thank you very much. 4/5 Owls.
9. “Not Right Now” – Ehh, the chorus and odd-sounding synths on the beat really just sound messy and poorly mixed. How does Joe sit there as he listens to his album before releasing it and feels confident that he put together the best piece of work he could possibly make for his fans? There is no way he did that with this album. 2/5 Owls.
10. “Take It & Run” – Is he suggesting for his fans to steal this album and go without paying for it? Nah, this crap isn’t worth the risk of getting arrested. But this album sure isn’t worth the twelve bucks your local F.Y.E. is going to charge for it. 1/5 Owls.
11. “Lighthouse” – I swear to goodness the beginning of this beat sounds like a cut up sample anyone can find in their Mac’s Garageband program. The keys and bass line definitely add more to the song, though. Still sucks. 2/5 Owls.
12. “Just In Love” (feat. Lil Wayne) – Oh snap, Weezy F. Baby on a Joe Jonas record? Wayne’s verse is surprisingly tolerable and I’m sure visuals will be provided to this song. It’s not as repetitive as the original thanks to Wayne but I can see this doing OK on the charts with occasional radio play on the pop stations. 3/5 Owls.
Overall: 2/5 Owls
