Music Review: ‘AGÁPĒ’ by JoJo

Followed by AGÁPĒ’s singles, “We Get By” and “Andre,” JoJo finally released her anticipated mixtape on her birthday, December 20th. It is amazing to see an artist’s drive and passion for what they do because JoJo could have just said “f*ck it, I’ll just give up and go to college” a long time ago. However, even though she is stuck under a contract with history’s worst label, Blackground Records, (that’s not an exaggeration; do the research on her situation), she manages to set the bullshit aside and just do what she got into the business in the first place–her love for the music.

The mixtape’s name is based on just that. Her unconditional love for music is what birthed AGÁPĒ and it’s a solid collection of songs. JoJo writes and sings through life boldly and unpretentious as she sings lyrics like Always comin’ over and smoking you out because everything is better with a blunt in your mouth on the sultry yet dangerous “Take The Canyon.” She creatively used her love and respect for rapper/singer Andre 3000 as inspiration for her ideal man in the second single “Andre.” She calls out a lover for not stepping up his game on “Can’t Handle The Truth.” A song with beautiful runs and stellar harmonies, it’s one of those “nice F you songs”; a style that’s reminiscent of Drake’s “Shot For Me.”

JoJo’s artistry and passion is clear. You can tell she loves to sing, and how important it is for her to write her own music. This smooth, sexy, honest, vibey modern R&B set might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but one can’t deny that the girl has got heart and talent. I, for one, am ready for a full-length album.

You can download AGÁPĒ here for free: http://www.audiomack.com/album/jojo/agape

And here’s JoJo’s special message to the fans along with the mixtape’s credits from her Tumblr:

My name is Joanna Noëlle Levesque and I’ve loved music more and longer than I’ve ever consistently loved anything in life. Music wakes me up and puts me to bed every single day, without fail. I obsess over it. I want to know everything about it! I want to snuggle with it at night. I want to be as close to it as friggin’ possible. When I was 17, I wanted to make it official. I snuck away from the hotel room my mom and I were staying at and got a tattoo. On my ring finger on the left hand; a treble clef. BAM. To remind me not to let anything, or anyone take precedent over the perfect mate I had in music. I feel often like I’m better explaining myself through song. Better than trying to talk about it. The older I got and the more music I inhaled and was exposed to, songwriting and interpreting other people’s songs became my most gratifying form of release. I felt the passion of my favorite artists coming through their records and I always wanted to emote like that. To be so powerful and connected so as to radiate such energy and truth.

I thought about naming this collection of songs “Live Free or Die” after the New Hampshire state motto (which inspired the tattoo on the back of my neck), but upon further thought, it sounded dramatic and militant and scary. And that it SO not what this is all about! Its really about friends coming together and bonding over a mutual love for music then seeing what grows out of it. Not about industry politics, agendas, empty-promises, ego, swag, pretension, or a budget of any kind.

THANK YOU for listening. You don’t know what it means to me to have a platform to express myself and interact with you. Doing what I love is an honor and a privilege. One that I take to heart. Oh to be making music in the modern time…The internet has changed my life, man! Who’da thunk it. I’m thankful and more excited than ever for the future. My story is unique, confusing, and tumultuous at times. But I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

AGÁPĒ

CREDITS:

Back2thebeginningagain
Produced by Jahi Sundance/State of Emergency & Thundercat
Written by JoJo & Jahi Sundance/State of Emergency

We Get By
Produced by Scott Bruzenak, Austin Brown & Tommy Parker
Written by JoJo, Austin Brown, Tommy Parker & Scott Bruzenak

Interlude Un

Take the Canyon
Produced by Austin Brown & Scott Bruzenak
Written by JoJo, Austin Brown & Scott Bruzenak

Billions
Produced by Scott Bruzenak
Written by JoJo, Austin, Scott, Kelly Parker & Pavel Gitnik

Interlude Deux: Joel’s Jam

Thinking Out Loud
Written by JoJo, Austin Brown & Scott Bruzenak

Interlude Trois: Love This Sh*t

White Girl In Paris
Produced by Scott Bruzenak
Written by Joni Mitchell

LTS Reprise

Andre
Produced by Steve Franks
Written by JoJo

St. Patrick’s Day Interlude

Can’t Handle The Truth
Produced by Boi1da
Written by JoJo & Elijah Blake

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Favorite tracks: “Take The Canyon,” “Andre,” “Can’t Handle The Truth,” Back2thebeginningagain”

Rating: 9/10 (Not a full ten because the only flaw is that it’s short)

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WATCH: JoJo sing an acoustic version of “Andre” on That Grape Juice

Melissa Berne

She is twenty-something and was born in Miami, raised in Haiti until she was 8, then came back to Miami. Phew! She has a passion for movies, music, and books. Though some would say there’s passion and then there’s Melissa. She is an aspiring entertainment journalist who is an avid social media user. Melissa is obsessed with the movie “The Mummy,” has an affinity for vampires, pirates and sweets. You can contact her at: melissa@theyoungfolks.com Twitter: @YaGirlMelberne