It’s been a minute since we’ve heard anything from Jesse McCartney but he’s out with a new album, entitled In Technicolor, later this month. We’ve enjoyed previous efforts such as out and out Backstreet Boys style ballad Beautiful Soul from 2004, when Jesse was a mere 17 years old, and 2008’s How Do You Sleep featuring Ludacris. However, there were times that we had an uneasy feeling that Jesse was emulating Justin Timberlake and N Sync – and who could blame him? But this is 2014 and Jesse has reinvented himself in many ways. He collaborated with producers ‘The Elev3n’ for most of the new album and, we like the effect they’ve had. He says of getting in the studio with them and discovering his new sound:
“It was retro, it was contemporary. I envisioned real horns, real instruments, syncopated and tight.”
Well, his vision seems to have paid off in a major way. We are super happy that Jesse seems to have tapped into something that sets him apart as a major songwriting talent. There are lots of funked out guitar and disco vibes and Jesse’s vocals are sounding phenomenal on last year’s single ‘Back Together’. We also love, love, love the dirty bass on his most recent effort ‘Superbad’. Jesse has recently parted company from his long term label Hollywood Records and is releasing his new album In Technicolor on July 22nd as a free agent. He says:
“Being independent was an easy choice for me at this point in my career. I weighed my options and considered different offers, but I wanted to be able to have ownership and control of my music. The fact that I had already built a base of loyal fans allowed me to successfully do so. In some ways, it’s definitely harder being independent than being signed with a major label. However, I’m really loving being a hands-on businessman!”
It sounds like the album heralds a new beginning and an opening up for Jesse in a lot of ways, and we couldn’t be happier for him. We can’t wait to check out the rest of his album when it drops on the 22nd.
Poor old Jesse McCartney. Just a few days after Drake revealed his spoof track ‘Side Piece’ at the ESPYs, Jesse dropped this track to remind us that it’s no laughing matter being the other guy. He’s singing to a nameless paramour “If it’s him that you’ve chosen, then you need to start closing the door/ ‘Cause while he’s at home waiting, we can’t pretend that we’re something more.” whilst silent tears splash onto our iPods. It’s a minimalistic song-writing effort that relies on a soaring vocal track from McCartney with a perfectly melodious but simple piano and string accompaniment. It’s also refreshing to hear the subject matter from the point of view of a guy for a change. We love his vulnerability and we’re guessing that if it doesn’t work out with his already-taken girlfriend, there’ll be a line round the block to fill the greedy lady’s shoes.
· Jesse is set to release his new album “In Technicolor” July 22nd, with the first single “Superbad” out NOW on iTunes and on VEVO!
· MTV released “The Other Guy” as a sneak peak single off the new album. Check it out HERE!
· Will be performing songs from his new album on his North American tour this summer starting in Charlotte, NC on July 25th! Please click HERE to see the tour schedule!