Guilty Pleasure (EP)
Guilty Pleasure is the fourth extended play by American singer JoJo Siwa, released on July 12, 2024, through Columbia Records. It marks her first musical project following her departure from Nickelodeon and represents a significant artistic rebrand, moving away from her previous child-friendly image toward a more mature, "edgy" style heavily influenced by dance-pop and electropop. The EP was preceded by the lead single, "Karma" and the subsequent title track.
The EP has received mixed to negative reviews from critics, who criticized the production, lack of artistic direction, songwriting and Siwa’s vocal performance.
Background and release
In a post to her Instagram on June 30, Siwa revealed that she would release her debut EP, titled Guilty Pleasure, on July 12 via Columbia Records. The caption read:Get the f*** ready. Guilty Pleasure coming in 13 days, That's not it... There's actually 5 songs coming your way in 13 days. Guilty Pleasure my debut EP is available everywhere July 12th!!! The countdown is on.
Composition and lyrics
The album is predominantly dance-pop, EDM, and electropop, evoking nostalgic sounds from 2012.Artwork
The artwork shows the singer in a high ponytail, wearing wraparound shades and jewels down the center of her face.Critical reception
Guilty Pleasure received generally mixed to negative reviews. Rolling Stone referred to the record as an "identity crisis", while HIVE ''Magazine, called it her "wrecking ball" moment. The Daily Illini noted that Siwa utilized synthesizers and dance-pop instrumentation for catchy pop songs, drawing a clear inspiration from Miley Cyrus's rebrand. However, the review critiqued certain tracks for carrying too much of Siwa's previous child-star sound, while also highlighting the lyrical shift in "Choose Ur Fighter", which was seen as a move away from her previous anti-bullying advocacy.Vulture noted the title track "Guilty Pleasure" as "thumping and nonspecific electronic-pop" with a prominent hyperpop sound. The Cut'' called the song "a relic from 2012" complimenting its nostalgic sound.
Fans of the rock band Tool heavily criticized Siwa and accused her of stealing the band's "wrench design" for her own merch for the EP.