The Singles Jukebox

Hard same…

[Video]
[4.12]

Katherine St. Asaph: I wrote this blurb on the morning of November 5 and have not touched it since. The score here reflects my forced optimism that this stolid yet somehow overwrought song will not have become resonant or relatable by the time of publication.
[4]

Alfred Soto: His broad craggy voice a worthwhile instrument for confessionals and empathy, Jelly Roll has trouble finding material up to it. “I Am Not Okay” is just broad enough for shrewdly platformed universalism.
[6]

Will Adams: Jelly Roll’s personal story suggests he could deliver a powerful display of vulnerability and courage; he’s certainly got the voice for it. But all he can muster is “it’s not okay, but it’s gonna be all right,” which is about as impactful as when Jessie J sang “it’s okay not to be okay.”
[3]

Taylor Alatorre: The about-face transition from “It’s not okay” to “it’s all gonna be all right,” without any sketching of how or why, only makes sense if a religious framework is assumed. This assumption is proven correct with the clumsy line about a “holy water tide.” The idea that the last shall be first is a powerful one, but Jelly Roll seems to believe that this conviction alone should be enough to move any listener, even absent any clear musical markers of its intensity or sincerity. 
[4]

Nortey Dowuona: I will ask again: where the FUCK is the Zach Crowell who produced this?
[0]

Mark Sinker: Satan cheerfully tap-tap-tapping until he breaks through: to wit, the only thing I dislike even slightly about this is the way JR spells “Okay.” And that’s a sign that I’m also not OK, and that’s bad, and it’s also bad that this succession of well-delivered generics is working as a kind of hymn for me right now. Wait, succession of generics: that’s what a hymn is, isn’t it?
[7]

Ian Mathers: It’s been a fucking rough week! But I know I could be doing worse, because I’m not so far down that this generic glurge (decent sentiment, extremely offputting singing) is actually reaching me.
[4]

Al Varela: I can acknowledge the person who would listen to this and be inspired to keep going. In fact, I commend them for finding solace in this song and Jelly Roll’s story of persistence and redemption. It’s great to have an artist who can inspire people to break out of the holes that they’re in and live their lives to their fullest. I’m just not that person.
[5]