Jada Kingdom, Pamputtae, and Patoranking are among the standout guest vocalists, but the songcraft doesn’t push the needle.
Spice, the “Queen of Dancehall,” returns with her third studio album, Mirror 25. This 26-track blue-themed project features 25 songs and a 3-minute, 18-seconds intro that pays homage to the Queen, including shoutouts from Bounty Killer, Baby Cham, Vybz Kartel, Busta Rhymes, Shaggy, Nicki Minaj, and Pamputtae.
The top-tier dancehall performer has been relentless in her career, only taking a break after a near-death scare in 2021. Her third album in as many years commemorates her 25-year journey in the music industry. Mirror 25 is a substantial follow-up to her Grammy-nominated debut album 10 (VP Records) and her independent project Emancipated.
Mirror 25 starts prayerful with 2 gospel inspired tracks “You Are Worthy” and “Lead Me,” featuring Ky-Mani Marley. It could be interpreted as Spice following the christian path of her dancehall predecessor Lady Saw, but Spice has been through her own struggles and has plenty of reasons to give thanks. This reflective track grounds the album in spirituality before diving into the dancehall fire that Spice is known for.
Gears shift into familiar territory on “Whoop” and “G.O.A.T.” which makes the album sounds much like an animal farm with the sound effects and vocal adlibs.
The gimmicks may appeal to a local audience but don’t help her case to reach global audiences. The genre blending beats, led by YowLevite and Red Boom, David Ireland Boss (V6) with contributions from Grammy-winning producer SOS Dynamikz and Yvng Fresh, keeps the album current.
Many of the songs on this album “mirror” her previous works, like the title track reflects themes from her hit “Black Hypocrisy,” while “Hell No” resembles the flow of “Jim Screechie,” just more morally adept, as she declares an aversion to Gen Z style debauchery and sexual liberation.
“Feel like me outa place and thing cause me nah do them deh freaky things,” she sings.
Spice’s clever concepts to interplay between old and new flow could have added artistic layers to the album, but Mirror 25 Spice is less believable in its delivery.
The exceptions are “Chair” and “Super Hero” with Jada Kingdom and Pamputae, where the three ladies deliver hardcore dancehall, complementing each other vocally while competing to see who has the best verse. The latter could have been a “Lady’s Night” posse cut single that could have led the album’s promotion.
The formula of a Jamaican artist getting a rapper to feature on their songs seldom produces a hit for the Jamaican artist. Here, the Busta Rhymes and Lola Brooke collaborations did little to elevate the album. Nigerian singer Patoranking offers some authenticity, and the jungle-themed “Put It On Me” reclaims the depth that the album had lost.
“Mirror 25” reflects an ambitious journey toward independence, feeling like three albums in one, with plenty to keep her core fan base captivated.
★★★☆☆
“Mirror 25” is released by Spice Official Entertainment
