Since we constantly watch her drift from style to style, both musically and in image, it sometimes baffles me as to what Jessie J's "thing" is. However, with the release of "Excuse My Rude", an album track from Jessie's upcoming sophomore effort, I'm encouraged by her return to her roots, and to a sound I most associate with her.
It's a sound that dates back to her debut single "Do It Like A Dude" - a dirty rock/soul/hip hop hybrid, which introduced us to a gutsy, tongue-in-cheek, yet slightly crazy singer called Jessie J. Maybe she came across a little try hard, but it was a fun and endearing personality and sound, and it's one that we see rehashed on the similarly brash and direct "Excuse My Rude".
Goofily phrased yet characterful verses unfold over slick Trappy beats, recalling some of the geeky charm and feisty delivery of Jessie's early days. It's unexpected drop into a soulful, lush chorus is a surprising move that Jessie shies away from in most of her other music. The vocal histrionics are shelved, and we hear a rare warm tone to her voice.
It's such a shame to see her new high profile singles - "It's My Party" and "Wild" - beginning to further mould Jessie's identity as a 'pop diva'. It might please a chart-hungry American market, but it won't please her core fanbase. Mainly because it's not the sound of "Jessie J" - It's the sound of a British Katy Perry.
We can only hope that we see many more songs like "Excuse My Rude", "Do It Like A Dude" and "Who's Laughing Now" on her second record - songs that showcase her personality and, most importantly, her individuality. Otherwise, without the quirkiness and bite that she used to be known for, she's destined to lose all the credibility she earned in her early days as a rising singer/ songwriter.
