Jessie Ware, “That! Feels Good!”

After over a decade of music and a myriad of writing credits for artists from Nicki Minaj to Ed Sheeran, Jessie Ware is more fun and upbeat than ever. Her fifth album, That! Feels Good! continues to solidify Ware as a sophisticated soul-pop artist as she layers sultry vocals, glittering horn sections and danceable beats throughout the album.

Thematically, the British singer-songwriter focuses on personal satisfaction and pleasure—even more so than on 2020’s What’s Your Pleasure?—while often prescribing dancing as the answer to all ills. While the offering is only 10 tracks, she manages to pack good vibes and energy into every minute.

Title track “That! Feels Good!” opens the album with provocative whispers before breaking into a funky beat heavy on bass and brass. The vibe here and elsewhere contributes to the story of the album. The hypnotic “Pearls” is all about woozy synths, a snappy rhythm section and dramatic strings as Ware sings about dancing her tail feather off over Motown-like harmonies. It’s reminiscent of Calvin Harris’ “Feels,” if you sped up the tempo. “Pearls” also provides a great example of the strength of Ware’s vocals. You can feel the power of her voice because the high notes are downright mesmerizing and her multiple vocal runs are equally as impressive.

On “Freak Me Now,” she leans into the disco influence again with a track driven by keyboard, a strong backbeat and an accompanying string section behind lyrics about enjoying yourself. Everything about the song is quick, from the delivery to the tempo that gives it urgency. And that fits the narrative of a spur-of-the-moment evening, driven by desire. “Shake The Bottle” is another fun one, where spoken-word delivery mixes with an uptempo beat and castanet accents while she details the things she wants in a relationship that are beyond the material.

Jessie Ware takes this album as an opportunity to speak on empowerment, but it’s not cliché or pandering. Right out of the gate, the piano-forward “Free Yourself” is direct and aptly named, about letting go of the notion of needing to be saved. Her propensity for dance tracks is solidified further on this song. You’ll find yourself chanting along to demands to “be yourself” and “please yourself” over the driving beat. It’s not complex in message, which is the focus rather the composition, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t plenty of fun. The plethora of horns during the chorus gives the song an added exclamation.

Outliers include “Hello Love,” the closest tune to a ballad on That! Feels Good!, about recovering from heartbreak. It’s got a beach vibe, with what sounds like bongos and a simpler beat. The slower tempo allows Ware to show her range, from the floating high notes to the deeper soulful lows. “Begin Again” offers Latin-tinged vocals and instrumentation. Maraca-like percussion, horns and a layered chorus fit alongside lyrics about wanting a fresh start. The song is poppier and less soulful, but it works so well that the deviations from the ’70s sounds of the rest of the album still fit.

Ware does a great job of fleshing out her strengths on this album. The development of her vocals over the years and her growth as an artist shine brightest. The 10 songs are a good time wrapped into a disco-pop package.

Follow writer Piper Westrom at Twitter.com/plwestrom.