Coco Jones is having an outstanding year. As the final season of “Bel-Air” recently kicked off, she got engaged and released a new single just in time for the holidays titled “Skip My House.” Co-written by Jones, Avital Margulies, and Sara Diamond, this catchy song continues the trend she started last year with her impressive EP, “Coco By The Fireplace.”
On that project, Jones made a wise choice by avoiding cover songs and standards, instead focusing on original material that highlights her songwriting talent. This decision affirms that, with dedication, R&B artists can create engaging modern holiday music.
In “Skip My House,” produced by Johnny Thomas Jr., Jones finds a rare sense of satisfaction. She sighs with relief as the groove unfolds. The beat flows gently, like a crackling fire, and she moves into it as someone who has finally learned to appreciate happiness right on her porch.
There’s no rushing toward the next miracle or anxiously checking off items on life’s to-do list. Instead, there’s a peaceful acceptance of the idea that this is what she needs, and it is enough. Her voice conveys this message with a light but persistent touch.
Rather than asking the universe for something new and shiny, she embraces gratitude and savors the moment as if it’s the last delicious cup of hot cocoa on a snowy night. “I already counted, and my blessings came pouring in,” she sings, her voice filled with contentment.
She’s not in a hurry to rush through the season: “Hoping I can freeze the time now while it’s snowing.” In a line that feels like a warm hand on your chest, she tells the universe—and Santa—to take a break this year: “You can skip my house this year. I already have everything I need right here.”
“Skip My House” is a song that radiates contentment without losing its sparkle, gently reminding us that sometimes having enough is truly enough.
Final Grade: B+
“Skip My House” is available on all streaming platforms.
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I want to revisit 2004 and highlight Romeo’s debut solo album, formerly of Immature. Titled “Food for Thought” and released on June 22nd, this project marked the singer’s change of name to Young Rome in an effort to distance himself from the youthful sound of his group, much like his bandmate Marques Houston had done a year earlier.
In the nineties, Hip-Hop reigned supreme, and every label CEO wanted a share of the lucrative R&B market. One strategy was to keep singers on their roster who could deliver catchy hooks, keeping everything in-house and saving money. Bad Boy had Carl Thomas, Death Row had Danny Boy, and Roc-A-Fella had Rell, our featured artist for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday
Growing up in the eighties, I was surrounded by incredibly talented male R&B singers who could deliver unforgettable love songs. Artists like Luther Vandross, Jeffrey Osborne, and Peabo Bryson dominated the airwaves, but Freddie Jackson was another voice that truly deserved recognition.