She now returns four years on from her last album. After moving from Austin to LA and going through a painful breakup, the scars are clear to see on “Who Wants To Talk About Love” a moving and introspective LP that has a searing honesty to it.
This album sees a return to more familiar surroundings for Jade, after experimenting with 2024’s EP, Burn the Hard Drive, which included a surprise detour into the world of synths and a collaboration with Mura Masa.
Bird has discussed how she began writing about her parents’ strained relationship and breakup but saw herself going through a similar situation herself. “Stick Around” has a rawness to it initially, just Bird’s haunting vocals and guitar as she sings about whether her ex really loved her It’ll strike a chord with many, and it’s this emotional openness that makes this such an affecting album.
Bird’s songwriting and style have drawn obvious comparisons to Americana, but on this record, it feels like she’s put her stamp on it, honing both her songwriting and overall sound. She started writing the title track, "Who Wants," at sixteen about her parents' relationship, but the track has evolved into something new considering her own experiences.
“Avalanche” further explores the weight of the breakup as she sings of being crushed by an avalanche and needing a search party. It is buoyed by some haunting vocals that really linger, creating a powerful atmosphere.
There are flashes of more of an indie styling which is another strand of Bird’s sound. “Dreams”, in particular, is more of an upbeat, electric track with a rougher vocal, showing a different side to other parts of the album. It is even more enriching for it and captures the balance of her sound wonderfully. This track was written at a point when the relationship was beginning to crumble and while the sound is propulsive, there is a vulnerability at its heart.
With many tracks sub three minutes, the storytelling is short and sharp, painting a clear picture of Jade’s mental state while keeping a brilliant sense of flow and rhythm to the album.
While an examination of a failed relationship, there is a sense of optimism on the likes of “Save Your Tears” and “How To Be Happy”, Bird is finding a way to forge a new path and escape her past. It is a forward-thinking and sounding record that takes its pain and hurt and makes something moving and richly rewarding.
This record is Jade Bird’s strongest to date, an expansion of her sonic influences and an intimate depiction of the aftermath of a breakup and the trials and tribulations that come with that. This honesty is refreshing and will connect with many. She’s found a way to expand her sonic palette, drawing on her influences to create something fresh and captivating.
