Written By: Cherrelle Johnson
If you’re new to Jessica Baio, her album SACRED could be the perfect introduction. Her third album was released on January 9, 2025. It consists of eight songs and takes listeners through a mini journey of love, heartbreak, and adventure. She pours emotion into each song, not just in the lyrics, but also through the way she delivers every vocal.
Tracklist:
- bad times
- love me less
- ferrari
- accident
- sacred
- el roy st.
- got it bad
- made for you
bad times
“I miss the bad times, staring at the stars from the car
I miss the sad highs, looking for a light in the dark”
If you’ve ever been in a relationship where you couldn’t help but stop and reminisce after it was over, then you might be able to relate to the first single on the album. The upbeat track, “bad times,” explores themes of nostalgia, longing, and emptiness. Jessica Baio reflects on a past relationship with an ex. While some reflect on the good times and miss those moments from a past relationship, Baoi does the opposite. She misses the bad times..
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to focus on the chaos rather than the beauty in a now nonexistent relationship. “bad times” is a song that takes the perfect spin on missing a relationship that’s no longer right for you. The song itself is the perfect one to listen to during a late-night drive.
A playlist about past relationships or late-night drives would suit this song well.
https://youtu.be/MsxVMNXAb_o?si=iz0VXflhzFVjLLso
“love me less”
“All I want is to be loved
But I'm afraid of bein' hurt again”
The thought of love can evoke a wide range of emotions. Love can make us happy. It can make us sad. Sometimes or many times, we might fear the thought of love. If you’ve been burned by love before, you might want to keep any potential partners at arm’s length. “love me less” was made with those people in mind.
Okay, maybe it wasn’t made with those in mind, but it does give the point of view of someone like that. The song explores fear and vulnerability, relying solely on a piano to set the tone.
Baio wants to be with someone and open up and share herself. However, due to her past experiences, she doesn’t allow this to happen. She wonders if they would still feel the way they’ve been feeling about her if she were to tear down her walls. “love me less” is a reminder that if you’re scared of love, you’re never alone in feeling that way.
A playlist about fear, doubt, or complicated relationships would suit this song well.
https://youtu.be/NSsZdDqa_m0?si=4jjUB5ISI2uo9ucA
“ferrari”
“You and me, Ferrari
Heart racin’, 'cause we might crash
I ain’t even worried”
There are songs about cars, and then there are songs about cars that include the car’s name right in the title. “ferrari” is the third song on SACRED and canters around romance, desire, and excitement. “ferrari” has a double meaning: the thrill of driving down a road or highway in a Ferrari and the excitement one feels when they’re in love.
Paio is all for the risks that will come with being with and around her partner. The singer uses imagery throughout the song to express the adventure she’s on.
The lyrics, “Cross my heart and hope to die, Pin a needle through my eye,” are my favorite on the track. It’s a saying that many know, whether it’s about a pin or a needle and is a great addition to the song.
Overall, the song does a great job of capturing what it’s like being in a relationship with someone who gives you a rush of excitement. A playlist about being in love, taking risks, or cars would suit this song well.https://youtu.be/R3UkI0MoYis?si=FOKX3sGK9v5q1kw_
“accident”
“Then you had the nerve to say it was an accident?
How'd you accidentally leave my heart in flames?”
Back on the theme of bad times in relationships, Baio gives us the ballad “accident.” While some relationships can be perfect or close to perfect, that’s not the case for all relationships. Some relationships leave you with a bad taste in your mouth.
“accident” takes us on a journey through heartbreak, betrayal, and disappointment. Some people talk a good game when it comes to relationships, but leave you looking at them in a different light.
The song finds Baio in the aftermath of getting cheated on. The guy telling her it was an accident, but questions, “How’d you accidentally fall into her bed?” Instead of coming clean, the guy tries to manipulate the situation in every direction. The lyrics, “When you said, 'I love you,’ guess there was an asterisk,” add a nice touch to the song. While Baio could be furious, she feels drained and doesn’t want to fight about it.
A playlist about heartbreak or cheating would suit this song well.
https://youtu.be/Odc4ALC5cns?si=chsl3s3METCIfjZy
“sacred”
“But this love is ours, they can't take it
Oh-oh, some things are sacred”
Artists and people in the spotlight have the right to protect their peace, along with the relationships and things they hold close. “sacred,” which also doubles as the album’s title, reflects that energy. The song explores the themes of love, privacy, and protection.
Baio reflects on what it’s like to balance being a music artist while being in a relationship. While she gives her all in front of her fans, her love life is something, she would rather keep it private. It’s special to her. It’s sacred. Her love life is only between her and her partner, and she doesn’t want anyone to come between them. Some things are meant to be sacred, so it's very valid.
A playlist about intimacy or reflection would suit this song well.
https://youtu.be/_Cue7t2HOwk?si=sDk33WSrKDdt2IuM
“el roy st.”
“Left hand on the wheel while we're chasing the sun
Yeah, I'm pretty sure I just fell in love for the last time”
There comes a time when someone feels like they’ve found the one. They say, when you know, you know. In “el roy st,” Jessica Baio feels like she’s hit the lottery and found a love that will last a lifetime.
The dreamy song takes us on a beautiful adventure through romance, commitment, and freedom. She finds herself deeply in love with a partner. She’s here for whatever journey her partner wants to take her on. What “el roy st,” represents is up for interpretation. It could be an actual street that holds meaning to the singer, or it could be a symbol for the love she and her partner share.
“It's like jumping into quicksand, Baby, there's no, no coming back,” perfectly sets the tone of how most feel when it comes to falling in love.
A playlist about desire or romance would suit this song well.
https://youtu.be/EZ47dZdefpw?si=bELLtovnFA62DStN
“got it bad”
“Show me you got it bad, so bad, so bad
Tell me I drive you mad, so mad, so mad”
The thought of someone being attracted to you can be a good feeling. The high-energy “got it bad” is the seventh track from the album. The song explores themes of desire, confidence, and flirtation.
Baio finds herself wanting to have fun with someone who’s caught her attention, potentially at a party or a club. She’s unsure if the attraction is mutual, but flirts with them, hoping for a sign. She wants to have fun, but only if they want to. It’s a playful song, good for a night out.
A playlist about boldness or nightlife would suit this song well.
https://youtu.be/MIN_tLZlp9g?si=jkqZFJN1ruB8ZmFp
“made for you”
“I was made for you, and I always knew
Like puzzle pieces, we go together”
When you feel like someone is meant to be yours and nobody else, you just know. Baio knows that in the closing song, “made for you.” The song takes us through certainty, intimacy on a deep level, and destiny.
“made for you” is a tender and romantic song about the singer believing that her partner was made solely for her. She wants to be with them no matter what and can’t see herself being with anyone else. They’re her person, her home, and she’s not going to let them go. There’s an undeniable and deep connection, and she knows it.
A playlist about commitment or deep connections would suit this song well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw10dj3F58I
Jessica Baio knew exactly what she was doing with SACRED. While it’s an album with only eight songs, each leaves you with a lasting impression that makes you want to see what is to come even when you’re done listening. If I had to choose my top favorite tracks, they would be “bad times” and “got it bad”.
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