Janet Jackson: Ode to New Beginnings
To me, the 2000s are the golden age of music, and I’m not just saying that because of nostalgia. People like Britany Spears, Rihanna, the Pussycat dolls, and Lady Gaga. It was a good time for music and culture in general. 2001 was the year a recently divorced and well-established Janet Jackson released her upbeat body of work, “All for You.” the project explored R&B, disco, Rock, East Asian, and Pop sounds. Going through the genres while expressing Jackson’s sensuality and passion.
1997 was gifted with “The Velvet Rope,” possibly Janet’s most vulnerable album. Being conceived during a time of emotional turmoil for the artist. it follows Jackson as she reflects on things like self-worth and domestic violence. With “All For You” coming after this, it’s safe to say that this album was made to be a lot more positive in mind, hence the upbeat and carefree nature of the tracks. Being made after the separation from her Then husband René Elizondo Jr, this is her moving on from that chapter in her life. While she still discusses negative themes in songs like “Son of a Gun ( I betcha think this song is about you)” and “Trust A Try,” the overall theme of the project is one of sexual liberation and renewal. Living one’s best life, if you will. songs like “Would You Mind,” “When We Oooo,” and “Love Scene” are songs that really cemented Janet’s status as a sex symbol of the time. The album has had its share of controversy due to how sexually explicit some songs are, leading to it being banned in some countries. However, with this being over an hour-long album, to chop it up to just being about sex would be insane.
Aside from the album getting banned because people couldn’t handle the amount of artistry made. “All for you” was well received. Garnering 3 Grammy nominations for Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and winning Best Dance Recording for its title track. Tracks like “Someone to Call My Lover” and “Doesn’t Really Matter” really scream early 2000s to me. Sonically different but both share this electric energy with them. this album also came out during a time of “MTV countdown” when artists were all trying to create the most memorable music videos. Janet had next to no competition. The videos for both songs were so well thought out and executed flawlessly. Dance breaks in New Neo Tokyo in one and taking the scenic route through the south in the other. Janet was really just learning how to celebrate being alive during this album and it’s so beautiful to experience. The closing track “Better Days” is her dusting off whatever’s left of the pain she’s endured and learning to move on.
“Leavin' old shit behind
And move on with my life
The blindfold's off my eyes
And now all I see for me is better days”
“All for you” is considered one of the best albums in Janet’s career and easy to see why. a lot of her soul was put into this, and her producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis did an incredible job of helping her translate what she was feeling into song.
