A Definitive Ranking of the Jonas Brothers’ Albums

The Jonas Brothers have gifted fans with some great music over the years, but how does it all stack up?

Written by Myah Taylor

When the Jonas Brothers burst onto the scene in 2007, they captured the hearts of millions. Guest spots on Hannah Montana, starring roles in the 2008 hit movie Camp Rock, and frequent circulation of their music videos on the Disney Channel further cemented Kevin, Joe, and Nick as household names. After years of success, a hiatus, and some sibling rivalry, the boys called it quits in 2013. But the brothers shocked the world with the announcement of their reunion in February, much to the delight of millions of nostalgic fans.

Now that the Jonas Brothers have reconciled, they’re back with new music. Their latest album Happiness Begins dropped this summer, and they’re currently supporting the record on the North American leg of their world tour. If you want to relive your childhood or listen to all of your favorites before seeing the brothers on tour, revisit their discography through this definitive ranking of their five studio albums.

5. It’s About Time (2006)

Many people may not know the Jonas Brothers released an album before their sophomore self-titled effort in the summer of 2007, but the band had been working in the studio for several years up to that point. Their debut album It’s About Time was their only work released under Columbia Records before they were dropped by the label in early 2007 due to poor album sales.

When the album was released, Nick was only 13, while Joe and Kevin were 16 and 18, so it makes sense that It’s About Time sees the Jo Bros in their most juvenile state. Most tracks feature vocal performances in need of development and lyrics that could be taken straight from the halls of a middle or high school. However, highlights like hit cover song “Year 3000” and lead single “Mandy” showcased the band’s signature pop-rock sound and gave shimmers of their potential.

If anything, It’s About Time introduced a spunky, young band that had some growing up to do. As the future would have it, the brothers’ success and musical capabilities would only trend upward.

Notable tracks from the album: “Year 3000,” “Mandy,” “What I Go to School For,” “Please Be Mine”

4. Happiness Begins (2019)

Now 13 years removed from their first LP, the boys from It’s About Time have become men and undergone all sorts of life changes. Nick embarked on a successful solo career, Joe reinvented his sound with his band DNCE, and Kevin became a father. Oh, and all three of them are now off the market. Nick recently tied the knot with actress and model Priyanka Chopra and Joe married Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner. Kevin has been married to his wife, Danielle, since 2009.

The women in their lives are a huge source of inspiration on the new album, particularly on their No. 1 hit single “Sucker.” “Sucker” is a polished pop track that features a catchy hook and the brothers crooning about how much they love their wives. However, like most of the tracks on the album, it doesn’t break new ground from a sound perspective. Neither do the record’s shallow lyrics.

Their second single “Cool,” which isn’t about anything in particular, is a great example of this. Most of the tracks on the album draw from the contemporary pop catalogue, making the Jonas Brothers’ identity hard to detect. While the storyline surrounding Happiness Begins centers on the brothers’ reunion, Kevin has virtually become a non-factor — even more so than in the past. Each song is either a Joe or a Nick solo track and any semblance of a team effort seems to be missing. With all of that being said, Happiness Begins is a somewhat dated and forgettable album. It ranks a notch above their debut simply because it’s more mature and there are some great production elements on the record. Plus, saying an album they put out before all of them hit puberty is better than their latest would just be disrespectful.

Notable tracks from the album: “Sucker,” “Cool,” “Only Human”

3. Lines, Vines and Trying Times (2009)

Little did fans know that Lines, Vines and Trying Times would be the last they’d hear from the brothers for a decade. In hindsight, this album hinted at the beginning of the end. This record in particular marked a point when creative tensions between the band members themselves and Disney’s Hollywood Records began to show. Following the release, Nick would venture out to start his side project Nick Jonas and the Administration in 2010.

The album is something of an identity crisis—a strange mix of teeny-bopper ethos, experimentalism, and flirtation with more adult themes. Lead single “Paranoid” is textbook Jonas Brothers — catchy hooks and driving pop-rock guitars — but with a more mature sound and a noticeable improvement in musicianship. The layered guitars capture the anxiety invoked by the lyrics describing the brothers’ paranoid states, and vocally, Nick and Joe complement each other well.

With references to Peter Pan and sparkling pianos, the trio nodded to their young fanbase in the sweet track “Fly With Me.” Tracks like “Hey Baby” and “Poison Ivy” don’t work too well, but the brothers’ desire to break the classic boy band convention and be taken seriously as musicians shouldn’t go unnoticed. A lot of Lines is skip worthy, but some deep cuts like the unusually paced “What Did I Do To Your Heart” and breakup track “Much Better” save the project.

Notable tracks from the album: “Paranoid,” “Fly With Me,” “Poison Ivy,” “World War III”

2. Jonas Brothers (2007)

When the boys released their eponymous album in 2007, the band was the hottest new act on the teen scene. By this point in their careers, Disney had gotten a hold of them and worked their uhh...magic. A mini reality TV show and constant circulation of their music across the network quickly introduced the world to the raven-haired trio. Their sophomore release, combined with the band’s own charm, was the perfect amount of boyish and fresh, and the masses bought — more like devoured — what they were selling.

The brothers’ massive success on the network and on the charts was kickstarted by strong singles. “S.O.S” is a staple in the band’s catalogue, providing a youthful perspective on a failing relationship through the lense of the mid 2000s. The band served even more classic teen pop on tracks like the high-energy, guitar-led “Hold On, ” and “That’s Just the Way we Roll,” a song referencing to their familial bond.

Music videos during the Jonas Brothers album cycle were also a powerful force. The video for their power ballad “When You Look Me In the Eyes” featured black and white footage of the boys performing live. Its aesthetic perfectly captured the sensitive tone of the song and set hearts ablaze for many years to come. Jonas Brothers is a fun album that defined the times of its conception. Even the filler is good.

Notable tracks from the album: “S.O.S.,” “When You Look Me In the Eyes,” “That’s Just the Way We Roll,” “Hold On,” “Hollywood”

1. A Little Bit Longer (2008)

2008 saw the Jonas Brothers at the top of their game. Their commercial peak coincided with the release of their third and best album, A Little Bit Longer. Crafting a follow up to the successful Jonas Brothers was no simple task, but somehow Kevin, Joe, and Nick returned with an album that topped its electric predecessor.

The marquee track on the album is the smash hit “Burnin’ Up.” This power pop anthem does everything right. “Burnin’ Up,” which features loud guitars, energetic vocal performances, percussion breaks, and a verse from the iconic Jo Bro security guard Big Rob lyrically depicts the boys as men who are all in for their love interests. Not to mention, this summer anthem is a total earworm.

The brothers strip things down later on the heartfelt “Lovebug.” “Lovebug” has acoustic guitars galore and solid lyrical storytelling. Deep cuts like the vulnerable “Shelf” and the raw title track puts the album above its contemporaries. A Little Bit Longer is a strong pop project, boasting some of the brothers’ best songs and remaining their most cohesive work to date. This album is everything that the Jonas Brothers were in their heyday: fun, youthful, and definitely not your typical boy band.

Notable tracks from the album: “Burnin’ Up,” “Shelf,” “Lovebug,” “Tonight,” “A Little Bit Longer”

Afterglow ATXOctober 29, 2019