Jennifer Lopez’s album “This is Me… Now” emerges from a narrative tailor-made for romantic comedies, almost as if it were a script starring Lopez herself. This pop-R&B opus is intertwined with its spiritual predecessor, 2002’s “This is Me… Then,” inspired in part by Lopez’s budding romance with Ben Affleck. This new album draws inspiration from the same source, albeit with a twist.

To immerse herself in the album’s theme, Lopez revisited a collection of letters Affleck wrote to her during their initial courtship, a gesture both touching and slightly eerie considering Affleck kept them after their breakup. However, when they rekindled their romance in 2021, Affleck presented her with these notes. This passionate history forms the backbone of “This is Me… Now,” weaving a narrative of long-lost lovers rediscovering each other despite life’s twists and turns. However, while this storyline adds depth, it often overshadows the music itself. Economically, “This is Me… Now” is inseparable from its accompanying film, a self-funded project costing $20 million. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Lopez discussed the project’s significant financial investment, viewing it as a defining piece of work marking the end of a chapter in her life.

Yet, despite the grand gestures, the album occasionally falls short of its lofty ambitions. While it boasts numerous good ideas, many tracks feel generic and formulaic, lacking the distinctive touch one might expect from Lopez. For instance, while “To Be Yours” effectively evokes early 2000s nostalgia with its sound, it often relies on clichéd lyrics, diluting its impact. Throughout “This is Me… Now,” Lopez frequently compares her love to heavenly paradises, relying on hackneyed metaphors that detract from the album’s sincerity. However, it’s in moments of vulnerability, such as on “Broken Like Me,” where Lopez shines, grappling with the pain of past heartbreak.Ultimately, while “This is Me… Now” carries a powerful narrative, its musical execution sometimes falls short. Despite its flaws, the album offers glimpses of Lopez’s emotional depth, particularly when she delves into her personal struggles and growth.