PREMIERE | Jacqueline Loor, "Show Them"

The lore, strength and resolve of rising pop star Jacqueline Loor; press photo via Rey Zamora.

Self-empowerment is a fierce human quality that exists within us all. In a world that is according to its own admission unfair and backwards in its rules of engagement, it is ultimately up to us as individuals to fight back against the all-too-easy default of dormancy and apathy to be a doormat to the public. While the tenets of this affirmative logic sounds all too easy and simple, existence itself presents numerous situations that introduce a host of complexities that challenge us to the core of everything we're made of. Courage is a word that is thrown about by the previous generations accompanied by antiquated anecdotes of valor and derring-do that often omits the importance of bravery and a more nuanced representation of survivorship. The lesser heard lessons lie in the truths of strength in mustering up strong senses of resolve. The hyperbolic appraisals of tired patriarchal archetypes emphasize the analogous virtues of heroism without expressing hard wrought details of personal battles. Absent from these war stories of the so-called good ol’ days are the intrinsic values of standing up for yourself in the face of adversity, abuse, doubt, toxicity, anything and anyone that impedes upon your dreams.

Creating pop anthems about the reclamation of agency and personal advancement is rising pop star Jacqueline Loor who announces their upcoming album Show Them with the debut of the title track. The Latinx artist has garnered attention from bold and expressive ballads in both English and Spanish, delivering narratives of amour, anguish and experiences that emphasize the power of determination and volition. Loor's top 40 radio billboard bop opera draws heavy inspiration from her twin sister's battles of being in and ultimately leaving an abusive relationship amid a grandiose atmospheric backdrop mighty as Tenerife's volcanic Mt. Teide on the Canary Islands (where the artist resides). “Show Them” breaks from the trappings of illusory contentment with a proclamation of living out your truth, breaking the iron bonds of co-dependencies in an exhibition overture that moves onward and upward away from these corrosive partnerships that no longer serve them.

"Show Them" softly begins with hopeful guitar strums that blooms into a formation of vigor and vindication. Jacqueline shares in the joy of showing the world whose in charge and control, leaning into the inherent strengths that stem from within, bouncing off the proverbial ropes with claws at the ready for the fight and with boots made for the flight to safety. The ceremonious art and act of standing up for oneself by way of confrontations (in the name of self-preservation) breaks through the embargoed blockades of progress and deadlocks of communication in the name of liberty, autonomy and the pursuit of happiness. The displays of charging forward from being backed into a corner and breaking forth from bondage are relayed in testaments of confidence and triumph in an energetic sound of unbridled freedom. “Show Them” is a statement of self, proving the naysayers and negative forces wrong in a recommitment to the spirit of choosing a healthier way of life in the company of those who lift you up — versus being held back by others who let you down.

Jacqueline Loor and a trusty six string; photographed by Rey Zamora.

Jacqueline provided the following introspective insights and inspirations behind the title track and album Show Them:

I wrote the song “Show Them” to inspire people to be proud of who they are and never try to be someone they are not. Reflecting on my life, I know there were many times I lost my voice and didn't stand up to people who may have been putting me down.

I think back to how naïve I was and how ill-prepared I was for the world, not because my parents didn't warn me, but because I didn't want to listen. I'm hoping my two daughters listen to this song and know to show the world how strong and beautiful they are in their own skin and never let anyone dim their light.

Jacqueline Loor clad in boots & an Oxford mac; photographed by Hector Socorro.

I had one of my incredible female mentors, Kris Bradley, produce this track and it was so empowering having her on this journey with me. She believed in me and pushed me to make this song as strong as possible. I learned how I was putting so many limits on myself and thinking I couldn't do things like even record my own vocals and Kris taught me so much about how I can do anything I put my mind to. After taking one of her production courses, I even produced one song on the album, I Broke My Heart, and I know it's the first of many more to come.

The entire album, Show Them, is dedicated to my identical twin sister and her journey out of a toxic relationship. It was hard for her to realize how unhealthy the relationship was because after being in it for so long, she became numb to it. That relationship is portrayed in the first track of the album, “Coming Undone,” and I even filmed a music video on one of the Canary Islands, Tenerife, and played both myself and my twin.

A portrait of Jacqueline Loor; courtesy of Hector Socorro.

The album continues to tell the story of how she finds the courage to leave him and was able to find herself again. I hope people can go on the journey by listening from the album’s start until the last song. Each song is a true story that I hope can resonate in people and maybe even help them get out of a toxic relationship.

Jacqueline Loor’s album Show Them arrives tomorrow, October 1, pre-save here.

Cover art for Jacqueline Loor's album Show Them.