NEW YORK — Imagine crafting music in a world where no external pressures or self-imposed limitations dictate your creativity. This was the vision singer and actor Coco Jones explored for her latest musical journey.
Contemplating the freedom of creating without fear, Jones pondered, “What would I achieve if the fear of not living up to ‘ICU’ or my EP didn’t exist? What if I ignored any formulaic expectations others had of me?” This fearless mindset fueled her effort on her debut album “Why Not More?,” set to release this Friday, following her 2022 breakout EP, “What I Didn’t Tell You.”
Reflecting on her evolution, Jones expressed pride in her personal journey and who she is becoming through this album. Earlier this year, she celebrated her first Grammy win with “ICU,” which was honored for best R&B performance. She revealed her excitement about creating a collection of work that she wholeheartedly stands behind.
The 14-track album showcases Jones’ broad exploration of R&B, featuring introspective and seductive tunes, and elements of Pop&B and Trap&B. With songwriting credits on every track, she collaborated with producers like StarGate, London on Da Track, and Jasper Harris, and incorporated features from artists such as Future and YG Marley.
Embracing her role as a prominent force in the new wave of R&B, Jones acknowledged the pressures to replicate the success of hits like “ICU.” However, she reminded herself that her intention wasn’t to win accolades but to remain true to herself. Jones emphasized patience during studio sessions for her debut, focusing on honest and vulnerable expression rather than completing songs hastily.
The album “Why Not More?” underscores Jones’ diverse melodic capacities. Among the released singles, “Here We Go (Uh Oh)” earned her first No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart, while “Taste,” featuring an interpolation of Britney Spears’ “Toxic,” charts at No. 15.
Jones takes a reflective turn in the ballad “Other Side of Love,” addressing the enduring pull of a relationship at its crossroads with the lyrics, “I don’t know why I can’t get your love outta my mind / It’s like I try but you come back around every time.” An older track in her collection, it was always waiting for the right moment to be unveiled.
The album also embraces themes of self-empowerment, as Jones advocates for self-reliance and self-love in “By Myself.” She shared that this song defines her journey, emphasizing her commitment to self-growth and emotional therapy, advocating for seeking answers within oneself.
While preparing for the upcoming fourth and final season of the drama series “Bel-Air,” where she plays Hilary Banks, Jones is also poised to embark on her tour starting in Philadelphia on May 6. Balancing her acting and musical endeavors, she continues to pursue her aspirations with vigour.
A former Disney Channel actress and a self-professed overachiever, Coco Jones still holds on to the dreams she harbored as a child, recognizing she hasn’t fulfilled them all but remains on the path to achieving those youthful visions. Since signing her first record deal at 14, she has kept her eyes set on grand horizons. “I have a long way to go to eventually become what young Coco envisioned,” she shared, “and I aspire to reach there, as the ambition was always to touch the stars.”