Jonas Brothers’ Sudden Return to Music

It seems like we took a trip back to the year 2007. All week, dozens of news outlets have been reporting that for the first time in six years the Jonas Brothers would release new music. The news is coming out of nowhere. Not one brother has hinted at reuniting the band, let alone new music. It’s great the brothers decided to reunite, seeing how their solo careers have been dwindled down in the last few years.

In the late 2000, Joe, Kevin and Nick became household names with the help of their music and acting deal with Disney. The band had real promise. In 2008, they were nominated for best new artist at the 51st Grammy Award. In just 12 years, the brothers released 4 albums, won 52 awards and had their own hit show.

Back in 2013, shortly after announcing a 5th, album the brothers announced the band would be splitting up. Nick said the decision to break up was due to “creative differences” which lead to “a deep rift within the band.” When the Jonas Brothers broke the hearts and sprites of every young fan, each brother was already working on their solo projects. Joe was getting ready to promote his debut solo album, Fastlife. Nick was about to make his Broadway debut starring in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Then there’s Kevin, who was enjoying his new life as a newlywed.

Kevin did not stay in the spotlight like his brothers. He married his high school sweetheart Daniel Jonas. They have 2 daughters. Kevin and his wife did have a reality television show on the E! Network for about a year. After that, Kevin we rarely hear or see Kevin, only when he is featured in one of his other brother’s social media post.  

As for Joe, it was clear from the beginning that he would not be the Justin Timberlake of the group. His first and only solo album was a commercial fail. In 2015, Joe released the only way to be success was to be part of a group. He teamed up with his former Jonas Brothers’ touring team and created DNCE. The most successful song from their debut EP was Cake by the Ocean. Despite its constant air play during the summer, the song peaked at number 9 on Billboard’s Hot 100 list. The next hit song was Toothbrush, came 4 months later and peaked at 44 on Billboards same list.

Joe’s solo music career did not leave a good impression, he made more news for who he dated. From 2013-16 Joe famously dated Demi Lovato, Taylor Swift, Ashley Greene, Gigi Hadid and Sophie Turner. Joe’s love live was an open book. Shortly after dating Demi, she checked herself into rehab, Taylor wrote Last Kiss and Forever and Always about their 4-month relationship. Joe was very public that he lost his virginity to Ashley and a young age. Gigi and Joe were in a very publicized relationship, at times even hanging out with Taylor. As for his relationship with Sophie, they have been together since 2016 and got engage a year later.

Unlike Joe, Nick had a better solo acting and music career. The media also did not focus on his love live, like they did with Joe. Shortly after the split, Nick appeared on a few episodes of Hawaii Five-O. For the next 3 years, he starred as Nate Kulina on the drama Kingdom. Recently, Nick has appeared next to Hollywood’s big names like Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Emma Roberts and Blake Shelton in UglyDolls. Before his acting career took off, Nick was still making music. In 2015, he had 3 songs on Billboard’s Hot 100 list just months apart. His first hit off of his solo album, Nick Jonas, was Jealous which peaked at number 7. Then was Chains that peaked at number 13. His final hit song of the year was Levels peaking at number 44. A year later, he released his third solo album, Last Year was Complicated, his only chart-topping song was with Tove Lo, Close, and it peaked at number 14. Despite only having one hit song, Last Year was Complicated, was set to become Nick’s first top ten hit on Billboard’s Hot 100 list.

Out of nowhere, the Jonas Brothers announce a new song and video will be released at midnight on March 1st. This was the news everyone wanted but did not know they need. The Jonas Brothers knew what their fans were into these days and announced their return to music by recreating a famous 2008 video. Everyone was excited and reacted with memes of themselves as young teenagers’ dresses in 2000s fashion saying their ready for the new tour. Or with other memes of twentysomething year old’s having to ask their parents for a ride to the concert so they could enjoy the night with their friends.

The brothers have been very vocal about why the band got back together. Nick said they started to film a documentary about their lives. They decided they were in a better place now and chose to reunite and make music again. It’s nice to hear that the brothers were able to explore different interest and decide they wanted to make music together again but can’t help to think that the reunion is due to their lackluster solo careers. Joe and Nick, both had the potential to become the next Justin Timberlake or even Beyoncé. Due to low sales and a competitive market, neither brother can shine as bright as Beyoncé has since leaving Destiny’s Child.