Jessie Ware did more than simply release an album in 2020. She offered an escape route. When the world felt claustrophobic and uncertain, What’s Your Pleasure? arrived like a mirrorball switched on in a darkened room and made lockdown a little less grim. It was a reinvention that felt both effortless and triumphant. Ware stepped fully into her role as an electronic disco queen and in doing so expanded her audience far beyond the loyal fans who had followed her since the early days.
With Superbloom, she returns to that same sonic garden, though the bloom here is slower to open. The early stretch of the record sees songs blending into one another in a way that feels more pleasant than punchy. There is cohesion, certainly, but not always immediacy. Where previous albums grabbed you by the hand and pulled you straight onto the floor, this one asks for patience, sometimes more than it earns.
What remains undeniable is Ware herself. Her voice continues to be the star attraction, warm and expressive, gliding across arrangements with a confidence that never sounds forced or fatigued. Even when the material around her feels too familiar, she elevates it through sheer vocal presence. The production too deserves credit. It is lush, polished and richly textured, wrapping each track in a glossy sheen that reflects her ongoing commitment to this sound.
Midway through the album, the energy finally sparks. ‘Automatic’ injects a welcome dose of funk, shaking off the earlier sense of sameness and reminding listeners how thrilling Ware can be when the groove kicks in. ‘Sauna’ follows with a burst of playful synth and flair, leaning into the campness she has honed so effectively since embracing disco. Together, these tracks revitalise the listening experience and briefly hint at the adventurous spirit that once defined her reinvention.
‘Ride’ released ahead of the album, stands out as one of its clearest highlights. Its glittery wild western themed hook make it instantly memorable and justify its role as a single designed to draw listeners in. ‘No Consequences’ co-produced by Jungle, carries a similarly infectious rhythm, their unmistakable fingerprint running through the track. Just before it, ‘16 Summers’ slows the pace in a way that feels intentional and heartfelt. You can almost picture Ware seated at a piano, reflecting on motherhood and the fleeting nature of time. It is a tender moment that adds some emotional depth to the record.
Yet for all its polish, Superbloom struggles to deliver truly captivating moments. The dazzling peaks that defined What’s Your Pleasure? feel absent here. Those earlier songs set a remarkably high bar, and it is difficult not to measure new material against them. Still, when an artist establishes such a clear identity, each subsequent release carries an expectation of evolution. Instead, this album suggests a formula that has become comfortable, perhaps too comfortable.
Superbloom is by no means a misstep. It is stylish, well produced and vocally great. But it rarely surprises. Rather than pushing her sound into new territory, Ware seems content to circle familiar ground, leaving listeners admiring the scenery while quietly wishing for a change in direction.
3/5
