Republic Records

Release Date: November 10th 2023

Reviewed by: Joshua Andre

Jonas Brothers– Strong Enough (Single) (Amazon mp3/iTunes)

Track Listing:

1. Strong Enough (feat. Bailey Zimmerman)

In case you haven’t known by now, my preferred genre of music that I have always set above any other kind of music is Christian music. Christian pop, Christian rock, praise and worship… it’s what I have grown up with and it’s what keeps me grounded and secure in my faith in Jesus. Recently though, I’ve been diving deeper into other genres and God has spoken to me evidently in a plethora of other albums decidedly not overtly grounded in Jesus. Country music, for one, has resonated with me more than I think I would’ve envisioned, or even cared to admit (considering how I don’t live in America, and don’t relate to many of the ‘country cliches’ in some songs); yet over the last few years- from 2020 onwards essentially; I’ve been actively wanting to step out further in my listening habits… knowing that God is speaking and that I could gain some different perspectives of the world we live in. Which brings me to the Jonas Brothers and their latest album called The Album which released in May last year, which I reviewed here.

To tell you the truth, I’m not that much of the Jonas Brothers. They seemed too ‘pop’ for me, and they seemed very, very cheesy. They were your typical ‘sibling teenage heartthrob boy band who were raised by pastors, when ventured out into the world for a mainstream career’- it was something that I didn’t want to listen to, because it had nothing to do with Jesus. But in 2021, as it was kind of my unofficial New Year’s resolution of sorts to listen to albums I wouldn’t normally listen to and to be stretched in my understanding of what a good song is; I bit the bullet and decided to listen to Nick Jonas’s Spaceman. And what I found was that the project was a somewhat musically busy yet equally haunting and thought-provoking album. Yes, I can say that now I am appreciating Spaceman for what it is. A solid pop album with plenty of lessons to be learned and plenty of relevant and relatable topics as well. Truth be told, I’m not that much of a fan of Nick Jonas even now… but I can see why someone would be. Wearing his heart on his sleeve, Spaceman is an unexpectedly good album, and reminds us that we need people, and we need connection now more than ever. Fast forward to now, and as you’ve probably now read my positive review of The Album; these guys are back with their latest single “Strong Enough”. Sung with guest vocalist Bailey Zimmerman.

Amongst the drama that was Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner breaking up and since divorcing, “Strong Enough” is a pop song through and through, with the trio relaying that they want to relax and drink their worries and problems away. The track is a happy-go-lucky ‘drinking’ melody, with the trio and Bailey outlining that they need something ‘strong enough’ and they they’re ‘never coming down’- a reference to alcohol or sex? Mick Jagger and Ketih Richards of The Rolling Stones had a hand in writing this song… but “Strong Enough” isn’t a memorable track by any means, and reminds me of an ok pop song that I hear on the radio, that’s just ‘there’. The Album was a great album overall, but this new single isn’t engaging enough unfortunately.

Jonas Brothers new album The Album (such an ‘original’ title!), at the core, is an album about relationships and the highs of a romantic relationship, while also about the passage of time and the maturity that comes along with it. For us single people, it could seem like this project overall isn’t for us. However, taking these songs and declaring them over our lives as something that God could orchestrate into action someday- for us to have a love like that with our future spouses that will never fade away- that I reckon is the way to go. Can we love an album if we can’t fully relate to it yet? I reckon we can… as that is exactly how I feel with Jonas Brothers’ The Album (save for “Summer In the Hamptons” and “Sail Away”). And Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Sophie Turner and Danielle Deleasa, should all be proud of their husbands for writing an album about them. In this project, it’s hard not to root for the band to succeed, even if you’re not avid fans of them; and here’s hoping that we all have a love like that someday. And as God is putting the steps in motion, and reminding us all that he will make a way for us in relationships and in life in general, even when there seems to be no way; let us sit back and marvel at the ingenuity of the Jonas Brothers– creating an accessible pop album that is enjoyable to listen to. Am I a fan of the band? Or even the individual vocalists? After this album… sort of? I might backtrack through the group’s discography; but for each of you I’d say listen to The Album. It’s a solid album about what earthly love should be like and about how we as humans should settle our differences (“Waffle House”). And also about how we all grow up but we should never forget our roots (“Little Bird”). Well done Nick, Kevin, and Joe, you’ve created an underrated gem, and a thought-provoking guidebook and manual on how to love in this world. How about a full-length Christmas album next?

Sadly, “Strong Enough” pales in comparison to Jonas Brother’s most recent studio album. That won’t quell my interest for the next Jonas Brothers album though; and there’s no denying the passion that these brothers have. however, if you resonate with this bouncy and celebratory tune; then more power to you! It’s not horrible. It’s not deep and meaningful though, either! And so… there lies the conundrum. A song not dull or boring enough to stop. A song not hard-hitting enough to continue.

Score: 3/5

RIYL: Hanson, One Direction, Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, Halsey, Dua Lipa, Guy Sebastian