JoJo's 'Sabotage' Is For Anyone Who Knows They've Screwed Up Relationships

JoJo's new era is rolling right along! The singer returned earlier this month with "Joanna," a brutally straightforward number that acted far less as a sole and more of a mission statement for her next chapter. Right now, we've gotten the initial official taste of her upcoming fourth album with the identically raw "Sabotage."


The soulful confessional finds JoJo holding herself responsible for her behavior in past relationships and second-guessing if she did her ex wrong. "Every time I hear them talking 'bout you / I wonder, did I play myself / And sabotage love?" She wonders over a mellow, groovy beat. Buzzing rapper Chika lays down some introspective bars of her own, admitting, "I'm not a saint, yet damn it if I don't come with confessions / It's easy to block our blessings, mistakes are for learning lessons."


There's something beautifully old-school about "Sabotage," and it's refreshing to hear a pop artist really dive into straightforward self-awareness. Take a listen to JoJo's latest release below.


After the single's arrival on Friday (October 25), JoJo took to her Instagram Story to reveal that she's shooting a music video for "Sabotage," teasing that it's going to be "really emo."


The singer also reflected on her new track in a statement, explaining, "A lot of people self-sabotage... I tend to do it in romantic relationships. And I think most of it roots to fear – fear of being inadequate, fear of getting hurt, fear of rejection, fear of not measuring up. This song is about asking a lot of questions, dealing with shame and embarrassment, and really just owning up to certain patterns."


JoJo is now readying her new album, the follow-up to 2016's Mad Love, for a 2020 release. It marks her first project since signing a new record deal, along with signifies a long-awaited new chapter of artsy reinvention for the veteran vocal queen.