Album Review: Why Not More? by Coco Jones
Why Not More? is shaping up as the formal coronation that Coco’s post‑Disney resurgence set in motion: tradition‑minded soul singing, pop‑tier hooks, and a contemporary sense.
Coco Jones has been very intentional about letting her first full‑length bloom in public view, giving fans just enough breadcrumbs to understand the scope of Why Not More? while keeping its core mysteries intact before release. Jones has described the album as “a reflection of my journey—both as an artist and as a woman,” explaining on the GRAMMY red carpet that she poured her “whole heart” into songs that track love, growth and self‑possession. In a separate Oscars‑week sit‑down she clarified the timeline: some tracks date back three years, others were cut just months ago, creating a deliberate blend of “old and new” textures—much like the vintage fabrics she favored in her Coach gown that night. That long arc let her test multiple sonic lanes after the success of her What I Didn’t Tell You EP: “The EP felt like one experiment that did really well—now I’m getting mad creative, trying a bunch of different things,” she told Rated R&B.
With her debut album, it’s very evident. “Keep It Quiet” employs a conversational approach in its lyrical narrative, where each line pulses with an interplay of emotional conflict and restraint, just like the Stargate production. This blend of confession and guarded sentiment creates a layered portrayal of modern relationships, where affection and aggression coexist in a delicate balance. But she shows off her raunchy side with “AEOMG” by interpolating Luther Vandross on the hook, presenting a playful narrative that oscillates between implicit sensuality and celebratory self-expression (“See me on the counter, labels need a preview”). Cardiak and Wu10 flip Lenny Williams’ “‘Cause I Love You” into cinematic strings and booming atmosphere with “Here We Go (Uh Oh)” as Coco vents about a cyclical love she can’t quit that’s reminiscent of her earlier hit “ICU.” Even with “Other Side of Love,” she sings her face off like she believes every word.
The duo (Cardiak/Wu10) returns on “By Myself,” characterized by smooth guitar and subtle percussion, creating an atmospheric backdrop for Jones’ soulful vocals to shine. The two notable tracks are begging to be singles: “On Sight” and “Thang 4 U.” The former has her telling a man don’t lie when it’s time for some intimacy and connection over a smooth backdrop, while the latter is upbeat that highlights the depth of her emotional investment, and also revealing a willingness to take risks for love. More experimentation continues with “Hit You Where It Hurts,” which leans toward the pop realm of Happy Perez and Sam Wish. The title track with YG Marley is built around a reggae instrumentation with a consistent thematic inquiry that questions the limits of emotional investment and reciprocal energy. In the verses, Coco blends moments of lighthearted, confident expression with more somber and questioning reflections, and Marley’s interjection brings a grounded, storytelling quality that complements the singer’s more impassioned delivery.
On the coin flip, you have Stargate and Jasper Harris pitch‑down Britney Spears’ “Toxic” strings into a smoky, minor‑key groove called “Taste” that Coco’s bid to “push the boundaries of what R&B can be,” but it sounds distracting and she’s better off singing the sample herself into something more creative and even with another London On da Track-produced “Nobody Exists” that sounds good in theory, but goes nowhere. As a dusky trap‑soul duet, “Most Beautiful Design” is a Future song featuring Coco Jones, which is frustrating because she wanted to “modernize the classic rap/R&B duet formula” that ends up being unmemorable instead of working with a true vocalist who can match her talent and chemistry. However, with “You,” the laid-back beat helps Coco unfold through a series of evocative images to explore renewed emotional discovery, and the reflective tone is enhanced by personal observations, like peering into a mirror, which invites an introspective look at personal identity amid the uncertainty of love.
Across every interview, she circles back to duality—classic vocal rigor meeting genre‑fluid production; romantic vulnerability counter‑weighted by brag‑heavy ego cuts. She wants each song to serve a mood: “chill,” “ragey,” “toxic,” “flirty,” or contemplative, despite some not hitting the home run as it should. In practice, that means live strings rubbing up against trap hi‑hats, or an R&B torch song that breaks into a Jersey‑club vamp—always anchored by the belt that won her that first Grammy. Why Not More? shaped as the formal coronation that her post‑Disney resurgence set in motion: tradition‑minded soul singing, pop‑tier hooks, and a contemporary sense that genre borders are made to be styled on. With experiments on distinct corners of her sound, most of the songs connect those dots—and, true to the title, give Co-Captains exactly “more” of what people are asking for if they’re willing to provide Coco with a shot in the long run.
Solid (★★★½☆)
Favorite Track(s): “On Sight,” “Thang 4 U,” “Why Not More?”