Album: 0304

Introduction
"0304" is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Jewel, launched on June 3, 2003, by Atlantic Records. This album marked a substantial departure from Jewel's previous folk and acoustic-based noise, as she welcomed a more dance-pop and electronic production design. The title "0304" represents the year it was released (2003) and the 4th month (April), which is when Jewel completed the album.

Produced by Lester Mendez and Jewel herself, "0304" got blended reviews from critics and had a moderate industrial performance. It peaked at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart and made a gold accreditation from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album generated three songs--"Intuition", "Stand", and "2 Become 1"-- with the very first one becoming an international hit and getting one of the most radio airplay.

Musical Style and Themes
"0304" showcases Jewel's experimentation with a brand-new musical direction, including dance-pop, electronic, and synth-pop aspects into her traditional singer-songwriter sound. The album is characterized by its catchy hooks, uptempo beats, and layered production, developing a dynamic and radio-friendly vibe.

Lyrically, "0304" explores styles such as love, self-discovery, and female empowerment. Jewel also discuss social and political issues, like customer culture and war, throughout the album. In an interview with CBS News, Jewel described that her objective with this record was to produce a mix of meaningful lyrics and enjoyable music to reach a more comprehensive audience.

Significant Tracks
"Intuition" served as the lead single from "0304" and became one of Jewel's most effective songs, charting in numerous countries and getting praise for its catchy chorus and dance-pop production. The song's music video, directed by Marc Klasfeld, features Jewel in numerous settings and attires, satirizing customer culture and the music market.

"Stand" was released as the 2nd single and received moderate success. It is an anthemic pop-rock track that encourages people to take a stand in their lives for what they think in. Although not as effective as "Intuition", the song still handled to find its place in the charts.

"2 Become 1" was the 3rd and final single from the album. It is a slower, more reflective track that showcases Jewel's signature wholehearted lyrics and emotive vocals. The tune talks about the transformation and development that occurs when two individuals come together in a relationship.

Reception and Legacy
"0304" got combined reviews from music critics. While some praised Jewel's willingness to check out new genres and her capability to craft memorable pop tunes, others felt that the album's noise was too derivative and didn't line up with her previous work. In spite of this, "0304" helped Jewel attain crossover success, expanding her fan base beyond the folk and adult modern scenes.

The album debuted at second on the United States Billboard 200 chart, offering over 144,000 copies in its first week. It was ultimately licensed gold by the RIAA for deliveries of over 500,000 units. Internationally, "0304" charted in numerous nations, including Canada, Japan, Australia, and various European markets.

Almost two decades after its release, "0304" still stands as a fascinating and bold relocation in Jewel's discography. It showed her flexibility as an artist and determination to take threats, even if it didn't entirely resonate with all her fans. Her experimentation with dance-pop ultimately shown influential for other singer-songwriters in the following years, as numerous artists started to explore electronic production while keeping their core noise.