by Jennifer Lopez’s This Is Me…Now – A Reflection on Love, Loss, and Second Chances
It’s hard to believe it’s been over 20 years since Jennifer Lopez released her iconic album This Is Me…Then in 2002. That album represented a major moment in JLo’s career, both musically and personally. It was her first album after starring in the biopic Selena, and it marked her publicized relationship with Ben Affleck, known affectionately as “Bennifer” by fans and the media. This Is Me…Then was JLo’s most vulnerable and honest album, with songs clearly inspired by her new love. Who could forget hits like “Jenny from the Block,” “All I Have” with LL Cool J, and “I’m Glad”? That album let us into Jennifer’s inner world during an exciting and romantic time in her life.
Now, all these years later, Jennifer is preparing to release the sequel album – This Is Me…Now. She has described it as a “reflection” of the past two decades of her life, including her rekindled romance with Ben Affleck. As a loyal JLo fan, I cannot wait for this musical insight into everything she has experienced since 2002. Her statement that this album will represent her reflections on “love, loss, and second chances” already has me anticipating an emotionally powerful piece of work.
Jennifer has really taken me (and all her fans) on the rollercoaster ride of her love life over the past 20 years. After her split from Ben in 2004, she went on to marry and divorce Marc Anthony, and also date former backup dancer Casper Smart along the way. She’s spoken openly about heartbreak and disappointment, but also growth and resilience. And now, with her and Ben’s surprising reunion, it feels like things have truly come full circle. This Is Me…Now promises to encapsulate all of those ups and downs into one cohesive musical story.
As someone who connected strongly with This Is Me…Then upon its release in 2002, I’m thrilled at the prospect of hearing Jennifer reflect back on that time with more maturity and wisdom. Back then, she was singing about a new relationship and all the excitement that comes with it. One of my favorite tracks, “Dear Ben,” was a touching love letter from Jennifer to her new beau. Now I’m eager to hear how she addresses their time apart and what she has learned upon reconnecting with that old love. Will there be a song called “Dear Ben 20 Years Later”? I certainly hope so!
Aside from her romantic highs and lows, I know Jennifer has grown so much as an artist in the past 20 years. She’s tackled many musical styles, ventured into acting and producing, and expanded her business empire. I can’t wait to hear how her artistry has evolved when it comes to telling this personal story through song. The way she chooses to arrange and produce the tracks will surely reflect the ways she has matured.
There are also so many aspects of Jennifer’s cultural impact that I hope get addressed on This Is Me…Now. How does she feel about being a pop culture icon for multiple generations? What was it like having the tabloid media chronicle every detail of her relationship with Ben, dubbing them Bennifer? How has she reconciled staying “Jenny from the Block” with becoming a mogul worth over $400 million dollars? Those themes were present on This Is Me…Then and I’m excited to hear her perspective now.
As far as the album’s sound and musical style, I’m expecting lots of thoughtful pop and R&B tunes like the ones Jennifer is known for. Perhaps she will revisit some of the hip hop and Latin music flavors that were present on the original This Is Me…Then record. Some fans are hoping she might do updated versions of songs from that album, which could be amazing. Of course there will likely be plenty of modern production elements, but the vocals and melodies will be classic JLo. Her voice has only gotten richer and more nuanced over time.
With her refined vocals and vulnerability, I could see Jennifer making this a primarily ballad-driven album. Slow, emotional tracks allow room for nostalgia and reflection. But she’s also capable of making empowered dance floor anthems perfect for blasting in the car or at a party. Hopefully This Is Me…Now will have the ideal balance of intimate tracks and upbeat jams. Whatever she delivers, I know it will resonate deeply and become the soundtrack for the next era of Jennifer’s life, just like This Is Me…Then did.
In essence, This Is Me…Now has the potential to be the most important and revelatory album of Jennifer Lopez’s career thus far. It’s coming at a pivotal moment after her widely-praised Super Bowl Halftime performance, selling out Madison Square Garden for a residency show, and rekindling her romance with Ben Affleck. Everything is aligning for her to release an album that truly defines this stage of her life and legacy. As a devoted fan for so many years, I feel grateful to have been on this ride with her and ecstatic to see where she takes us next with This Is Me…Now. Jennifer’s vulnerability and wisdom have only expanded with time. I can’t wait to learn even more through this musical reflection on the past 20 years. This album will undoubtedly be the pop culture event of 2023 and I’ll be first in line to get my copy!
