The Story of a Comeback: The Jonas Brothers

BRINGING A GENERATION BACK TOGETHER

Don’t go looking for your neighbor Peter’s time machine because it’s finally true: the JoBros are back in action. And if you don’t think that’s a perfect excuse to bring back flip-phones and baggy jeans for a day, you’re probably lying to yourself.

Way before Zayn left One Direction, there was another sort of heartbreak. You’re 13, jamming along to «S.O.S», crying to «When You Look Me In The Eyes», wishing that a boy could love you just as much as Nick Jonas did back in the day, when on October 2013 the Jonas Brothers called it quits, just days before canceling their tour. Back in the days the news came as a shock to the fans for several reasons : first, the band was set to go on a 19-date tour across the United States, second they were rumors about a fifth studio album titled «V», then they were one of the most popular music acts since their debut in 2005 and finally they ARE brothers. How can you split up a family that is that popular you ask? Well, turned out it was Nick Jonas fault all along.

The youngest of the trio originally initiated the conversation about splitting up saying at times, «It feels like we’re best suited to do our own individual things, all things we’re passionate about, and choose to be brothers first.».

Kevin then added, «I think it was time, and for us it took some time getting there, but we feel like it’s time that the Jonas Brothers come to an end». He continued, «We’re family first, and that’s always been our main priority, and so honesty within what we do as a group was really important. I came to the table with the guys just before we were prepping to leave for tour, and I shared my heart with them, my feelings. It was the first time we really had that real conversation. It was a few days of working through it.»

So what’s next? Well, music, but another kind of music. Closing a chapter, Nick was the first to open a new one right after the break as he started working on his second solo album, «Nick Jonas», introduced by the single «Jealous» that would become his first top ten hit as a solo artist on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 2016, the youngest of the band released his next album «Last Year Was Complicated». Unfortunately, the album didn’t generate the same success as the previous one. But the disappointment didn’t last as Nick went on to co-headline a tour with Demi Lovato, served as Bruno Mars’ opening act in 2018 and landed a Golden Globe nomination with his song «Home» for the movie Ferdinand.

A soaring music career, as well as an acting one as Nick made his way onto the big screen, starring alongside big names such as Dwayne «The Rock» Johnson and Jack Black in Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle. A nice transition from teen idol to Hollywood’s hottest male.

But then, it was time for another brother to go down the solo route. While some were expecting Joe to be the first one to release an individual album after the split, he actually found success in 2015 with his brand new band DNCE. With «Cake By The Ocean», the quatuor rose to fame and embarked on The Greatest Tour Ever Tour after the release of their debut album.

In 2016, they serve as the band in the musical event Grease: Live, Joe taking on the infamous role of Johnny Casino. The start of a TV career as the singer also served as a coach on the US Version of The Voice.

As for the oldest brother, Kevin was ready to go behind the scene for a while. «I’m going to be going back my first passion, which was the business side of things,» he said. «I’m in the first round of funding for an entertainment fund that will position brands to target millennials.».

Of course, along the way, Kevin married his long time girlfriend in 2009, and became a father, welcoming Alena Rose in 2014 and Valentina in October 2016.

Behind the scene, Kevin dove into the business world. In 2014, he founded JonasWerner, a real-estate development and construction company and is one of the CEOs of The Blu Market Company, a social media influencer marker company.

Using the lessons he learned from the band, Kevin said: «Being in a band is very much like a startup. You start in a garage. You hope to get interest from investors, like a major record label. Once you get an investor on your side, you work your ass off building the product, like recording an album. And then you need to sell it, hope the audience likes it and ultimately buys it. It’s pretty much the same thing as a start up.»

And after five years of complete silence, whispers of a reunion began in 2018 when the JoBros’ social media accounts had been slowly reactivated.

But once again, Nick was quick to shoot down the rumors : «We hung out for a weekend all together then I guess our Instagram is restarted or reopened. But I can tell you there’s no reunion planned, but I can never say never. You never know what’s going to happen.». Something that implied the three bros were cooking something up for a long time.

But really, they just needed time. A lot of time if you ask us. But in the end, it was all worth it and Nick, Kevin and Joe managed to brush many of their past issues under the rug. A way to keep their family close. «A situation like this makes you wake up and appreciate the ones around you. Just spending time together can be the best coping mechanism.», admitted Joe and Kevin.

In the same way Nick was the one to initiate the talk, he was also the one to address the chance of a come-back. Surprisingly enough, Joe took some time to make up his mind about the situation.

Coming back after five years isn’t easy. Pop music evolved. Fan grew up. Other artists took over. But still. They came back.

«Sucker» benefits from a moody trap and a pop-rock energy filled with Nick’s falsetto in the chorus. There’s something insanely catchy in this song that doesn’t immediately sounds like the Jonas Brothers. Yet, it serves as a «cool» introduction to their upcoming album, «Happiness Begins» which will be out on June 7th. A hidden message? Maybe! They took the time they needed to refill their batteries and came back stronger than ever.

For anyone who wasn’t a fan before, you sure need to give them a listen because they matured and so did their sound!

In a world where The Backstreet Boys are touring again, it seems that nostalgia is hitting right in the feels lately. Maybe it’s for the better! As for us, we’re still eagerly waiting for a N’SYNC Reunion. Yes, we’re looking at you Justin Timberlake.

The Jonas Brothers’ new album «Happiness Begins» wil be released on June 7, 2019.

WORDS by LénAELLE FONTAINE

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