Joe Jonas reconfigures his sound in ‘Fastlife’

“THERE are songs that are hard to sing, because you know that the people who inspired them are going to hear them,” intimated Joe Jonas in a recent interview. The 22-year-old pop heartthrob might as well be talking about “Sorry,” a very revealing ballad from his solo album, “Fastlife.”

In it, Joe sings, “When you give up love, it’s never worth it/ But, I finally found the truth/ Was it the things I said?/ Can I take them back?/ What can I do to show you I’m sorry?” He explains, “The song says, ‘I screwed up. I didn’t cheat on her, but I messed up—and I want her back!’ I’m just laying it on the table. Every artist is entitled to write honestly.”

It’s hard to tell who the singer was really talking about—after all, Joe is as “famous” for his acrimonious breakups (with Taylor Swift, Demi Lovato and Ashley Greene) as his hit singles with the Jonas Brothers.

Phone call

Interestingly, some three years ago, Swift revealed on Ellen DeGeneres’ show that Jonas broke up with her “in a 27-second phone call when I was 18.” Their parting has since been immortalized in the country singer’s popular tune, “Forever & Always.”

Later, in an attempt to explain himself, Joe wrote (albeit vaguely) on MySpace: “I called to discuss feelings with the other person… I didn’t end the call. Phone calls only last as long as the person on the other end of the line is willing to talk.” —Oh, the romantic follies of the young and foolish!

Other than “Sorry,” the album’s only ballad is the moody and techno-tweaked “Lighthouse.” There’s more to “Fastlife” than heartbreak and retribution, however: In fact, the album is Joe’s attempt to reconfigure his music—from the pop-rock sound that made him and his siblings a global singing sensation to a more grownup repertoire consisting of a swinging mix of electronica, dance, R&B and urban music.

But, you can’t wax a record like this and not draw comparisons to Madonna’s “Hard Candy” and, more appropriately, Justin Timberlake’s “FutureSex/LoveSounds.” The album’s 12-track lineup will win pop-music aficionados over with its uptempo grooves garnished with sleek and slinky harmonies.

Catchy tracks

Many of the tracks are as catchy as they are fun-filled, most notably the sizzling “All This Time”; the dance hit, “Love Slayer,” and the percussion-heavy “Just In Love.”

Unfortunately, Joe’s “new” sound isn’t always a snug fit. Take “Kleptomaniac,” whose lyrics feel forced and awkward: “She’ll steal your heart/ Where she’s gonna make a purple sky/ And they come down here in disguise/ She has the duck—and, should we try it?” —Huh?

While “Fastlife” lacks the genuine swagger of Timberlake, its energy will thaw your apprehension in no time—and shove you toward the dance floor! And, in “See No More,” Jonas judiciously displays his warm and thick-bodied falsetto.

Interestingly, the alternative version of “Just In Love” has rapper Lil Wayne mouthing explicit lyrics—which is a curious misstep. After all, you can’t use crudeness to prove artistic growth!