JADEN SADE’S STORYTELLING SHINES IN EXPERIMENTAL POP RECORD, ‘THE FORGOTTEN CHAPTERS’
Some epochs don’t begin with loud sonic booms, only whispers. Artists project onto our subjects all the time. We create “fictional” stories and characters out of admiration or longing—fantasy and escapism mold together, transmuting into something worth exploring creatively. Independent pop artist Jaden Sade has written an entire sonic novella, The Forgotten Chapters. His full-length LP seamlessly blends prose and verse, exploring the intersection of fantasy and reality. This unique perspective becomes an artwork, one that requires a longer attention span. However, there are some hidden gems within it; Sade’s storytelling ability stands strong on its own. Music is, arguably, simply Sade’s preferred medium for expression. Regardless, Sade is a writer, coming from a writing background.
The Forgotten Chapters is something of an acquired taste. It fits in nicely for fans of Taylor Swift’s most recent efforts, especially those with long-term collaborator Jack Antonoff. The record certainly aligns with The Tortured Poets Department, which was highly regarded by fans who understand Swift’s core better than the general public. Sade will likely be received similarly, with high praise overwhelming any potential criticism. He appears self-aware, at least considering his lyrical themes. He is deeply introspective, pondering every single perspective in a given situation. Though “fictional,” Sade’s writing seems too personal to be completely forged. There are moments throughout where he alludes to this. I wonder the ratio of fiction to borrowed reality; still, his poetic essence works extraordinarily well in this chosen soundscape.
Of course, Swift is the most recognizable influence on Sade’s work. That’s no secret, as she is one of the most influential figures in pop culture history. Namely, songs like “My Love For You” feel extraordinarily familiar. It’s undeniably Sade’s, but it’s his “New Year’s Day” moment—somber and reflective. The relationship may have ended, but he still has some lingering, sweet feelings for his ex-partner. This track is also a turning point within The Forgotten Chapters. I was a bit uncertain until this point, but the tracks that followed are what sold me on the work. His compositional ear in “Something Strange In This Light” separated him from the latter-discography Taylor Swift allusions. As a result, something stunning in this light emerges instead. The percussional work in the track may be questionable, but it complements the whispers and strong lead vocal well. My favorite element is the distorted guitar. This layer alone adds a striking contrast that revives the listener’s attention spans after what is otherwise a relatively slow-moving LP.
The whisper element becomes a bit overbearing in the second half of the LP, though it’s not completely distracting. Instead, it could do better scattered sporadically. As it stands now, it feels as though the whispers are meant to be screams, which is an incredibly cool metaphor, but slightly overdone. “The Puppeteer” is a solid song on its own, but I had a hard time focusing on what the lyrics were saying in the whispered verses. I enjoyed the faint whispers underneath a clear lead, but again, perhaps used a bit too frequently. This song exemplifies Sade’s potential, but he may need his own Jack Antonoff. Swift similarly shares tendencies that become too repetitive when she doesn’t have another pair of ears to keep her creatively focused. As a result, some of her most meaningful work isn’t received by the general public for the innovation it is. The bridge, specifically, is challenging to hear; accessibility connotations should be considered here, as frequent whispers may make it hard for some fans to connect with Sade’s music if a condition impairs them from doing so.
Otherwise, The Forgotten Chapters follows an incredibly engaging storyline. There’s love, loss, and self-exploration, seemingly through a queer lens, as pronouns switch frequently throughout. This aspect of Sade’s work is undeniably impressive, as his perspective remains few and far between in pop music. This sound is emerging into the mainstream, though, giving Sade an encouraging future. Sade has numerous qualities that enable him to stand out, aside from his potential identities. His vocal range is rich and unnerving, matching the emotional heaviness of the record’s lyrics. His harmonies are phenomenal. I have no qualms about the songs’ arrangements in that sense, especially in the latter half of the LP when he gets experimental with harmonies.
The Forgotten Chapters offers a strong, fresh start for Jaden Sade. His creative ear separates him from both peers and contemporaries. Though it might be easy to compare his writing style to big names, he has several unique qualities that make him a brand new artist. He has a strong ear for pitch, which will get him far. With just a bit more creative fine-tuning and perhaps a regular collaborator, Sade’s next few albums will only improve significantly. He is already off to a fantastic start, but a few more tools in his wheelhouse will take him to the next level.