Dear Joe, by Jax via jaxwritessongs.com
After several years of waiting in anticipation, Jax has finally released her debut full-length album, Dear Joe. And the incredible album was well worth the wait. The project consists of twenty tracks that showcase the artist’s remarkable songwriting and unique vocals. Her raspy yet soothing voice guides the audience through relatable stories of life and relationships. She stays true to herself, holding nothing back as she shares her personal experiences. With her authentic candor, Jax is one of the most refreshing artists in the modern era, being an inspiration to women and girls of all ages.
Track List
jelly beans (the purge)
hawk tuah (interlude)
HOW DARE YOU
the clap (interlude)
i choose violence
Barbara, your husband is gay (interlude)
zombieland (feat. HARDY)
neurospicy (interlude)
the new girl is a snake
Epstein didn’t kill himself (interlude)
superbad
holiday
Adam Sandler (interlude)
like my father
too young to be old
pour one out for me (interlude)
stupid cupid
the babysitter song (interlude)
a song for chelsea
Victoria’s Secret
Jax is a singer-songwriter from New Jersey. In 2015, she placed third on Season 14 of American Idol, making her the most successful contestant from her home state. After the show, she released her first single, “Forcefield” and joined the remaining Top 5 contestants on the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2015. Not only has Jax written for herself, but she has also penned songs for other artists while she advanced her experience within the music industry. Then in 2020, the global pandemic threw a wrench in her plans by leaving Jax without a physical stage to perform. As a result, she turned to TikTok where she became a viral sensation. Her immense talent caught the attention of Atlantic Records, who she signed with in January 2021. She continued to release tracks that garnered her a dedicated fanbase and well-deserved attention. In March 2022, she won the iHeartRadio Music Award for TikTok Songwriter of the Year. Then in June 2022, she released her hit single, “Victoria’s Secret”. The track started important conversations about body image and eating disorders, resulting in the song going viral on TikTok and other social media platforms. The song peaked at number 2 on the U.S. Billboard Adult Top 40 Chart and 25 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart and is certified gold in the United States. In 2023, she went on tour with Big Time Rush, and in 2024, she went on tour with Simple Plan. Follow her on all social media to stay up-to-date with any new announcements and music!
Interludes
Jax is not only known for her radiant personality and remarkable singing but also her impeccable humor. Alongside her infectious songs, she has gone viral for her equally as amusing TikToks where she sings short but powerful quips about life, relationships, and living in Hollywood. Throughout the album, she includes eight interludes that encapsulate her cheeky online presence. From exposing the industry's predatory creeps to her humorous Weird-Al style remakes of popular jingles, Jax packs a lot of punch in the short tracks. Her well-rounded album shows both her serious side and her comedic nature, making it the perfect debut project.
jelly beans (the purge)
Jax kicks off the album with an infectious song that shares a vulnerable storyline. Although the title has a humorous tone, the message is anything but. The singer starts the track with a story on why jellybeans “freak” her out. She once bit into one, expecting it to taste like Coca-Cola, and it ended up tasting more like “shit.” From that day on, she could no longer trust the colorful candy. And if she cannot trust a tiny piece of candy, how in the world is she able to trust anyone in her life? Taking a page from the iconic slasher movie franchise, Jax warns everyone that she is about to partake in her own purge. She utilizes the graphic imagery from the films to symbolize her desire to “purge” everyone she knows. No one is safe and everyone is being cut— she is ridding them from her life. It is a clever metaphor for the lack of trust and comfort she feels from those in her life. “jelly beans (the purge)” sets the scene for an album filled with clever lyrics and unique storylines.
HOW DARE YOU
Jax wrote “HOW DARE YOU” to help her best friend get over the ending of a relationship. The emotional break-up song showcases Jax’s powerful vocals and her more serious lyricism. The track navigates the end of a romance when one party watches the other move on. While she is still holding onto the days that they called each other “the one,” the subject has a new girl on his arm. And to make matters worse, the new girl is the narrator’s “carbon copy.” While she is mourning the breakup and sleeping in her ex’s shirt, the new girlfriend is sleeping in the bed they bought and wearing the shirt she left. “HOW DARE YOU” is a cathartic release for anyone experiencing a similar situation while Jax’s soulful voice wraps her best friend into a warm hug.
i choose violence
“i choose violence” easily became my favorite song on the album. The fiery track contains one of the major themes: revenge against predatory men. Jax exposes the vile man who groomed her from the age of eighteen, telling her she was mature for her age. While he paid for all the hotels, she bought fake IDs to just merely exist in his age group. She is still healing from the trauma she endured. In the pre-chorus, she states that she “could forgive” him, before breaking into the powerful chorus. Instead, she tells him: “I choose violence, I choose war// For all the little girls that should be warned// I could choose silence, but what for?// You took my innocence, now I’ll take yours// So I choose violence, and I might die trying.” Rather than sitting back and staying silent, she is airing his dirty laundry and refusing to go down without a fight. She now knows that she was not his first victim, nor will she be his last. While she is breaking down these walls, there is a girl out there not even born yet who may be next on his list. However, that gives Jax enough time to “build an army of girls” that will tear down his reputation and avenge all the young girls he preyed on. In recent years, more and more artists have used their music to stand up against predators and expose their groomers and abusers. This is my favorite genre of music – and I am so glad Jax has used her voice to share this topic more than once on Dear Joe.
zombieland (feat. HARDY)
“zombieland” was one of the first titles on the track list that initially caught my attention. Since the 2009 film of the same name is in my Top 5 favorite movies, I was curious to see what the track would be about. Jax and HARDY share a unique kind of love story. While the world is going under, the apocalypse is commencing, and the undead are taking over, the two lovers are the sole survivors. Their love will triumph – even through the endless fires and infinite earthquakes. It is a quirky song that is the epitome of Jax’s cheeky humor and ingenious storytelling. With the clever take on the apocalypse (a.k.a. apoca-lips), Jax and Hardy have produced an unforgettable track.
the new girl is a snake
Jax often inserts iconic pop culture references in her songs and interludes. The intro of “the new girl is a snake” contains audio from an alarming video that went viral. The moment on an American Airlines flight where a woman claimed another person was “not real.” While the subject of Jax’s song was not a “bodysnatcher” scenario, this viral moment was the perfect introduction to her infectious track. The singer shares her experience of being the only person who knew someone was bad news. While everyone around her seemed to trust the “new girl,” Jax was able to see through the toxic behavior. The soundscape had a soulful, country-rock vibe from it, varying from the rest of the album. This helped the song stand out amongst the pop anthems, earning it a spot in my top three of the album.
superbad
“superbad” is another track that shares the name of an iconic 2000s comedy. However, unlike “zombieland,” this song shares a much more heart-wrenching storyline. Jax shares her internal battle after finding out her best friend’s boyfriend is bad news. After learning that he has been unfaithful, she wants to break the news to her friend. But she does not want to be the one to break her heart. She struggles with the notion that he may just lie his way out of it, as he has been. What if her best friend does not believe her, and chooses him instead? The emotional ballad showcases Jax’s pain through her powerful vocals, making the song another flawless addition to the singer’s remarkable discography.
holiday
Jax provides another cheeky love song with “holiday.” The track utilizes different holidays to describe the joy and freedom her relationship makes her feel. In the first verse, she sings, “My world was black and white, but now it’s pumpkin spice.” While this line may not be the most serious or poetic lyric, it perfectly encapsulates the carefree feeling of finding the one. Being with her partner makes her feel like she is celebrating a holiday every day. Whether it is Halloween, Christmas, or New Year's, she always has a reason to celebrate. The lighthearted track instantly spreads her happiness to the listener, making them want to sing and dance along while thinking of their “holiday.”
like my father
“like my father” was released in 2021 and gained traction on social media, garnering viral status. As of March 2023, the song was RIAA gold-certified. The beautiful track would be a perfect father-daughter dance song at a wedding. Throughout the stunning ballad, she divulges the type of love she wants. One that is like her parents. For her entire life, she has had her parents' relationship as an example of love and marriage – and she knew she could never settle for less. She not only wants but needs a man who loves her like her father loves her mother. In the bridge, she switches the topic to wanting to be with someone who sets the standard for their future daughter. Just like Jax, she does not want her child to settle for mediocrity. The singer’s love and respect for her parents shine through in this song and effortlessly bring tears to the listener's eyes.
too young to be old
The first time I heard this song, I was driving alone in my car. I almost had to pull over because the tears began to fall from my eyes. Immediately after singing a song about the strong bond between a father and daughter, Jax transitioned into a track about watching life catch up to your loved ones. “too young to be old” details her experience watching her dad go from the vibrant and sharp spirit he once was, to the old man he has become. Life has a way of coming at you quickly. She has no idea how her father is showing signs of aging because he is way “too young to be old.” Becoming an adult is hard, because as you age, you know your parents are aging too. And soon enough, they will be gone. Jax shares this experience eloquently, expressing the anxiety and utter dread I feel each day. After listening to this track, you will want to go home and hug your loved ones a little tighter.
stupid cupid
Jax has a “bone to pick” with Cupid. In “stupid cupid,” she is angry with the Valentine’s Day character for making her fall in love. She is losing her edge as she falls in love with her partner, unable to fight the romance. She never thought her jaded personality would melt away and she would be one to fall madly, deeply in love with someone. The production is reminiscent of an old-timey love song, complete with a stunning orchestra and a subtle effect that emulates a classic recording. The beautiful track shows the audience another side of Jax while still maintaining her comedic side when she tells Cupid she should have shot him first.
a song for chelsea
Anyone who has followed Jax for a while knows who Chelsea is. She is the young girl that the singer has babysat for years. Throughout the song, she pleads to Chelsea to stay young forever. Jax wants to protect her from the demons and predators that hunt and prey on the innocent. But she knows that is not possible, so instead she warns Chelsea of wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing. After sharing her wisdom, Jax reveals a vicious twist in the bridge. The final line alone deserves a Grammy for the fire behind her words. With Jax in her corner, Chelsea will be safely guarded by the vengeful babysitter-turned-warrior.
Victoria’s Secret
“Victoria’s Secret” is an electrifying track about the toxic beauty standards projected onto women. The song includes Jax’s trademark cheeky lyricism and powerful storytelling. The song was released in 2022 and immediately went viral on TikTok, Instagram, and other social media platforms, as women and girls of all ages shared their experiences with body image and insecurities. “Victoria’s Secret” was the first song by Jax I had ever heard, as it was also one of the first review articles I wrote with Pop Passion Blog. Take a moment to travel back in time to read that article here.
Dear Joe, by Jax has something for everyone. Whether it is the serious ballads, such as “superbad” and “HOW DARE YOU" or the comedic anthems such as “zombieland” or “holiday,” Jax has created a perfectly rounded album. From her hilarious quips to gut-wrenching storylines, the singer crafted an album that shares the multifaceted way of life. Her unmistakable talent and authenticity make her one of my favorite artists to watch, knowing she will always deliver incredible music.
Written By Karlee Skipper
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