Samantha Jade makes a comeback with a "Bounce" in her step

R&B loving Australian Pop starlet Samantha Jade is back with a new single "Bounce". And I'mma just come out with it. She's going to get compared to Ariana Grande. Because Ariana has now become the standard for comparison for any new non-black chick who comes into the game doing Pop leaning R&B. But with "Bounce" it's a comparison that I can't even refute. I could definitely hear Ariana doing a song like this and there's even a look in the music video which is what many would consider a signature Ariana look.

Ariana comparisons are things that these girls have to face now. Even if they've been on the grind for years and putting out music back when Ariana was white and on Nickelodeon, as Samantha was. Because when they pop-up in a post Ariana world, labels want safety, so the material is deliberately made to fit in the soundscape of today first and packaged in a way that's familiar first, with the artist being kinda secondary. That's what I feel is happening with "Bounce".

"Bounce" is a really nice song and Samantha looks great in the video. I was relieved to hear how the song turned out and the context in which the word bounce was used, as based on the title I was expecting some twerk type foolishness or some Big Freedia assisted type joint - neither of which I have an issue with if they're done right, but it just isn't Samantha's style.

There's nothing about "Bounce" that really makes it nor Samantha stand out. But this may be the through line that works for her. And I can't deny that it's a good song that made me squat and make the booty bounce.

A remix featuring City Girls is also available, which should help this on US radio, and they should definitely cut a video for it.

Stream Samantha Jade's "Bounce": Spotify | Apple Music | Google Play Music