Jessie Ware's Superbloom: A Disco-Pop Evolution With Podcast Roots
Jessie Ware's latest album Superbloom represents both a continuation and a refinement of her disco-pop journey. As the third consecutive album in this glittering genre, it marks her most retro offering yet, trading the futuristic sheen of previous works for lush, orchestral arrangements that evoke early 80s post-disco boogie.
The Podcast Influence on Musical Direction
The shadow of Ware's phenomenally successful podcast Table Manners looms large over Superbloom. Recent episodes have featured advertisements offering listeners a 10% discount for pre-ordering the album, highlighting the symbiotic relationship between her podcasting and musical careers. The podcast, co-hosted with her mother Lennie Ware, has attracted celebrity guests including Margot Robbie, Jeremy Allen White, Paul McCartney, and Robert De Niro, establishing Ware as a prominent media personality.
This podcast success has created an interesting dynamic where Ware is now arguably better known as a podcaster than a singer. The album literally incorporates this crossover with the track Automatic featuring spoken-word contributions from Euphoria star Colman Domingo, a previous Table Manners guest. This integration demonstrates how Ware's dual careers are increasingly intertwined.
Musical Composition and Retro Influences
Superbloom significantly amplifies the camp, grownup pop aesthetic that defined Ware's previous albums. The album showcases her versatility with tracks ranging from the Shirley Bassey-inspired drama of Don't You Know Who I Am? to the family-focused ballad 16 Summers, which features her three children and explores themes reminiscent of ABBA's Slipping Through My Fingers.
The album's retro orientation is particularly evident in its musical arrangements. Where 2020's What's Your Pleasure? and 2023's That! Feels Good! incorporated contemporary electronic elements, Superbloom embraces classic disco and boogie influences. The string arrangements avoid glitterball clichés, instead drawing inspiration from Chicago's psychedelic soul maestro Charles Stepney, whose opulent influence is especially apparent on the title track and No Consequences.
Standout Tracks and Musical References
Several tracks demonstrate Ware's commitment to her retro disco vision. Ride, debuted at Glastonbury's legendary queer club NYC Downlow, combines "come be my cowboy" lyrics with whip cracks and samples from Ennio Morricone's The Good, the Bad and the Ugly theme. Mr Valentine evokes the Paradise Garage-approved punk funk of acts like Liquid Liquid and ESG with its spare sound and rattling percussion.
Ware's vocal performance remains a highlight throughout the album, delivering impassioned intensity even on more playful tracks. Her declaration "I'm a lover, a freak and a mother" from 2023's Pearls finds new expression across Superbloom, particularly in tracks like Sauna with its references to "wood-chopping" romance.
Album Context and Critical Assessment
While Superbloom represents a retrenchment rather than a dramatic evolution, it demonstrates Ware's mastery of her chosen genre. The album lacks a chart-topping banger equivalent to her previous single Free Yourself, but compensates with consistently strong melodies and choruses. Ware's collaboration with like-minded musicians and producers ensures the album maintains the classiness that has distinguished her work from less artful disco practitioners.
The album's release comes at a time when Ware's podcast success has arguably overshadowed her musical career. Yet Superbloom proves she remains committed to her artistic vision, even as she navigates multiple creative identities. While it may not deliver the same jolt as her genre-pivoting What's Your Pleasure?, it solidifies her position as a leading voice in contemporary disco-pop.
Ultimately, Superbloom showcases an artist comfortable in her lane, delivering quality disco-infused pop while balancing a successful parallel career in podcasting. The album's retro orientation and podcast influences create a distinctive musical statement that, despite occasional kitschy moments, maintains Ware's reputation for sophisticated, well-crafted pop music.
