Quality over quantity. Jessie Ware has managed to make that the statement of her career. It doesn’t seem like she cares about the actual timeline between releases — rather, Ware wants to create music for herself. And at the end of her process, we're beyond grateful.
Her three studio albums, Devotion (2012), Tough Love (2014), and Glasshouse (2017), present a timeline of Ware’s success and failure. Devotion and Tough Love both gained critical success, with Albumism even ranking Tough Love as one of the best albums of the 2010s. While her first two albums were successful in both production and audience reception, Glasshouse was problematic until release.
In an interview with The FADER, the UK pop–star admitted to having some difficulty writing for the album. Mid–pregnancy, she was rushing through the songwriting process. So she started anew, taking the time to figure out how she wanted to continue. In January of 2017, Ware figured it out: “Okay, I understand myself again. It's always gonna be a little slow.”
This understanding of what it takes to make great music for Ware is what's brought us her most recent slew of singles. In October of last year, “Overtime” was released, a hit single that returned Ware to her club roots.
In February, Ware released “Adore You," another nod to her musical beginnings. A single verse, a simple chorus, and exquisite house beats came together for an effortless and stunning release.
And just last week, we got “Mirage (Don’t Stop).” We don't yet have a fourth studio album, but this club dance floor single perfects the unofficial trilogy. Clear and vivid baselines compliment the agonizing mystique of Ware’s voice. The return to her pre–studio album 2010s club anthems is clearly what Ware wants to be doing, and with this quality, it is clearly what Ware should be doing.
The track, with a single verse and double pre–chorus, features repetitive lyricism throughout, bringing listeners back to an 80s house style paired with tactful base. The smooth groove is inviting, yet rigid. The delivery is perfectly subdued. From the great first line to the fade–out riff, it would make anyone want to hit the dance floor. It’s inspiring and surreal. There's nothing to be mad at and a lot to love.
The powerhouse of songwriters that collaborated on this single undoubtedly contributed to making it great—singer–songwriter Kid Harpoon, Radio 1 DJ Benji B, Simian Mobile DJ James Ford, keyboardist Matthew Tavares, and producer/songwriter Clarence Coffee Jr.
No matter who's to thank for these house–inspired singles, Ware has found what she wants to make. And, thankfully, it's great music.
