Empowerment and respect are intrinsic qualities that help us view ourselves with confidence. Unfortunately, many of life’s experiences can present challenges that must be overcome to be proud of who we really are. Acknowledging our worth is of utmost importance if we want to lead meaningful lives, but sometimes we tend to forget this when we encounter people that we value dearly, who do not extend the same courtesy towards us. Jacqueline Loor’s album Show Them focuses on such toxic relationships, inspired by and dedicated to her twin sister. Running for 43 minutes with 13 songs, it is an open letter inspiring courage and motivating people to find strength within to pull themselves out of a toxic relationship.
Originally from Miami and now based in Tenerife, Jacqueline’s goal is to create music that embodies inner strength and self-discovery. On Show Them, she takes you through a journey of rediscovering your value by showing you the lows of a toxic relationship and the untapped potential of a life that is free from it. It is a cinematic experience, filled with a diverse range of songs that make their own statements. The beauty of her music is how it encourages action: there is a subtle urgency that pushes you forward on your path of rediscovery and makes you believe that nothing should ever stop you from getting to your destination.
The album begins with themes of melancholy but soon turns into an uplifting force. The crux of it is Jacqueline’s emotive vocals, evoking powerful images and feelings. Songs like ‘Coming Undone’ and ‘I’m Done With You’ represent the struggle of realizing something is wrong and acknowledging that it needs to change. The solemnity with which she sings about hurt and pain is everpresent and holds your attention throughout the album. Somewhere along the way, the album transitions to songs like ‘Burn it Down’ and ‘I Can Fly’ which echo positive thoughts of liberation within their lyrical buildup. The diversity in mood makes it realistic. The more upbeat songs signify a carefree outlook towards life which is often hard to find within the clutches of a toxic relationship. Emphasizing her message, Jacqueline sings “you’ll lose some days/ but you’ll find your way” on ‘Find Your Way’ over a melody that is infectiously cheerful. The dark pop album, with sublime production, can be seen as the light at the end of a dark tunnel and really makes you believe in a practical manner that you deserve the best and you can claim it by never giving in to people who do not respect you.
It is truly remarkable how she has managed to create an album that represents different aspects of pop – heartfelt ballads, up-tempo dance tunes, songs you want to sing along to in the summer. It is even more remarkable that it never strays away from its purpose – convincing you with determination that you deserve better than what others may tell you. It is an album that you must listen to, especially if you’ve ever struggled with issues of self-esteem because there is real strength to be found in her words. Enjoyable and empowering, Show Them stands out as a monumental album with an important mission, and it does a great job of fulfilling it.