By C. Perera, JadeTimes News
If there's one word Jade Thirlwall's fans are tired of, it's "soon." "They hate me for that," she admits, apologetically. Following Little Mix's announcement of a break after their 2022 tour, Jade is the last member of the group to release solo music, frequently assuring fans it was coming. With her debut single, "Angel of My Dreams," finally released, Jade tells "I'm ready to give some pop girlie drama." Jade shares she's been writing for two and a half years for this project. "I needed that time to evolve as my own artist outside of Little Mix," she explains.
Little Mix, formed on The X Factor in 2011, included Jade, Perrie Edwards, Leigh Anne Pinnock, and Jesy Nelson until 2020. For Jade, it was her third audition for the show, at 18, aspiring to be a solo artist. A memorable moment from the series shows her disappointment when judge Kelly Rowland suggests she join a girl group. Jade recalls, "I pictured a girl group like The Pussycat Dolls, who I loved but were very sexy, and I, in my braces and bow tie, wondered how I could fit that image."
Jade also reflects on her school days, where she faced bullying. "I was scared I'd be put with girls I didn't fit in with because I was, and still am, a bit of a nerd and a weirdo," she says. Looking back, Jade acknowledges she wasn't ready to be a solo artist then. "I needed to go through my adult life and womanhood with those girls around me. The music industry is brutal, especially if you're young and alone, so I'm grateful," she states.
In "Angel of My Dreams," Jade confronts the harsh realities of the music business, singing, "You only care about money. selling my soul to a psycho." The song opens with a sample of Sandie Shaw's "Puppet on a String," the UK's first Eurovision winning entry in 1967. Jade uses the sample to reflect her experience in a reality TV formed girl group, countering industry perceptions of them as "manufactured" or "puppets."
Little Mix became one of the most successful girl groups ever, with billions of streams and three Brit Awards. Now, with her solo debut, Jade feels she can establish her individual identity. She emphasizes she hasn't felt pressured as the last band member to go solo. "I'm proud of my artistry, and we're all different as solo artists, so I don't feel pressure in that sense."
With "Angel of My Dreams," Jade aimed to "come out with a bang, surprise people, and push myself creatively." As she finalizes her album, she promises fans "the unexpected." "I wanted a whole body of work ready before launch. This is just the beginning. It's the perfect song to introduce everyone to the Jade world," she concludes.
