Jade’s New Single Proves She's Still the ‘IT Girl’

Since girl-group Little Mix’s hiatus in 2022, Jade Thirwall has been cultivating her brand with appearances on Drag Race UK and TV show Mood before beginning her solo musical career with singles ‘Angel of my Dreams’ and ‘Fantasy’ last year. 

Jade's newest single ‘IT Girl’, released on January 10th, builds on the electronic dance-pop and operatic fusions that made previous singles ‘Angel of My Dreams’ and ‘Midnight Cowboy’, but brings a darker, dirtier sound. The track was originally called ‘That’s just showbiz’ and the lyrics tell a story of the artist's relationship with the music industry and the exploitation often experienced by young women. 

Jade described the song as being, ”what pop should be: playful, confrontational but still a bop” in an interview with Clash, and she delivers this on all accounts. The song feels fresh, unique, and playful in the way it leaves you guessing how each section will sound. This sound, paired with the unafraid, almost demanding lyrics, keeps the song interesting and powerful. The visualiser created for the song is fairly simple, with Jade smashing some ceramics, but it evokes a feeling of anger and freedom through her energy-filled dance.

The costume provides another statement in Jade's ever-growing lookbook and cements her as an emerging icon. Her wild energy in the music and its accompanying video makes the experience feel like something ready to be played in the club.

The song starts in a way that is becoming recognisable as Jade's signature style—beautiful soft vocals before transitioning into a harsh beat and dance track. Throughout all of the artist's releases so far, there seems to be a running thread of her view on “showbiz, baby”, and they are vehicles for Jades’ self-expression after feeling like a “puppet on a string”  for so long. And through this self-expression, she has created brilliantly refreshing songs with 'IT Girl' being no exception. The track's chorus, which repeats confidently “I am the IT Girl, I am the shit girl”, oozes with passion and a provocative edge. The verses sound reminiscent of Little Mix’s ‘Wasabi’, but push the boundaries lyrically and sonically in comparison, by combining discordant womps and Jade’s deep, rich vocals. 

‘IT Girl’ is a dance-pop party banger and showcases Jade being unashamedly herself, proving that she is unpredictable in the music scene and someone who should not be controlled. 

Isabel McDermott

@isabel_mcdermott_

Image: ‘IT Girl’ Official Single Cover

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