Nick Jonas surprises fans with raw and personal new solo project

Nick Jonas officially returns to the solo spotlight. During an intimate Sunday brunch at Jonas’ family restaurant Nellie’s Southern Kitchen in Las Vegas, the 33-year-old singer surprised fans by announcing his brand new solo album “Sunday Best.” The record, his first solo project in nearly five years, is set for release on February 6. The brunch on Sunday, November 30 also doubled as a private listening event where 170 lucky fans heard the first-ever live performances of several new tracks. Joined on stage by Daniel Wall of Behind The Wall, Nick Jonas discussed “the inspirations, stories and creative journey behind the album”, which includes collaborations with JP Saxe, Josette Maskin of MUNA, Blush and Ryan Daly.

The release notes that Sunday Best “dives deeper than ever, drawing on important chapters of his life, both celebratory and difficult, that he has faced over the past year and the new perspective he has gained as a husband and father.”

“I’m so excited to share these new stories, candid thoughts, leisurely walks home around the city, and snapshots of my life over the past few years,” Nick said in a statement, according to PEOPLE. “And even though this album was made over the last two years, it actually took 33 years of work.”

The album announcement follows another major moment in Nick’s solo resurgence. On November 17, during the Jonas Brothers’ show at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, he debuted a new track called “I Need You.” Before sitting behind the piano for a moving performance, accompanied by a full choir, a brief intro was played. In it, a voice asks Nick, “How would you describe this album to someone who’s never heard your music before?” »

Nick’s response: “I would ask them if they knew what love is, what it really is, if they said yes I would say ‘So you know what the album sounds like.’ » The performance moved the audience…and then the energy changed quickly.

Immediately following “I Need You,” Nick launched into a soulful, choir-backed version of his 2014 hit “Jealous.” Longtime fans knew exactly what was coming. The Gospel Version, which he first featured in a Vevo performance 11 years ago, a music video that has since racked up over 36 million views. The live cover drew massive cheers and fueled speculation that Nick was quietly preparing his fans for a full-fledged solo era. Turns out that’s exactly what he was doing.

Nick’s return to solo music marks his first full-length project since “Spaceman,” released in 2021. The album, a synth-pop and R&B exploration of love, desire and isolation, was heavily shaped by the emotional landscape of the pandemic. With tracks like “This Is Heaven,” “Spaceman,” and “Don’t Give Up On Us,” the record gave fans a deeper look into Nick’s personal life and his relationship with his wife. Priyanka Chopra Jonas.

Before “Spaceman,” Nick’s 2016 album “Last Year Was Complicated” delivered hits such as “Close” with Tove Lo and showcased a more mature, introspective sound that helped solidify his identity as a solo artist outside of the group. His 2014 self-titled album “Nick Jonas,” fueled by the hit “Jealous,” officially launched him to pop stardom on his own terms.

As Nick shifts into album mode, the Jonas Brothers show no signs of slowing down. He, JoeAnd Kevin have been on the road since August for their “JONAS20: Greetings From Your Hometown Tour,” honoring two decades as a band and the release of their latest album of the same name, released August 8.

And Nick isn’t the only one going the solo route. Kevin Jonas performed his first ever solo song on this tour, debuting his track “Changing”, released on November 20. This personal milestone was met with overwhelming support from fans, marking a new chapter for Jonas’ older brother.