This was a very nostalgic summer for most of us. Nemo and Dory were back in theaters with a new film, Monica and Missy Elliott’s single “So Gone” became popular again after the internet got excited about the So Gone Challenge, and singer Jojo announced that she would release a new album later within the year.

In 2004, the world was introduced to a 13-year-old with a powerful voice named Joanna Noëlle Blagden Levesque. She empowered teenagers everywhere, and made middle school relationships seem so stressful with her single, “Leave (Get Out).” She then followed up with her album The High Road in 2006 which included the hit song, “Too Little Too Late.” Despite all of her success, Jojo mysteriously disappeared from radio, and it left a hole in all of our preteen hearts.

Unfortunately, Jojo was in a bitter lawsuit with her label Blackground Records, which stopped her from releasing an album for a decade. [And to matters worse, the passing of Robin Williams meant there was little hope for the sequel to the movie, RV.] That didn’t stop her from releasing music on her own, though. During her lawsuit she released two mixtapes, three EPs, and several covers of other popular songs including a cover of “Marvin’s Room” by Drake. She even continued to tour to promote her music. Finally, in 2014, Jojo signed to Atlantic Records and began working on her third studio album, Mad Love.

Mad Love was released on Oct. 14, and it did not disappoint. The album chronicles the triumphs and disappointments that Jojo endured during her 10-year hiatus from the limelight. It talks about the difficulties of relationships, growth, the loss of her father, and the extraordinary love that she has for music. The first single, “No Apologizes,” featuring Wiz Khalifa, was Jojo’s comeback empowerment anthem followed by three promotional singles, “Mad Love,” “FAB” featuring Remy Ma, and “Music.”

So why is this album so important for us? Well, first off, we no longer have to watch movies like Aquamarine to get our Jojo fix. This album is also important because it shows a very talented and motivated individual who refuses to give up on her dreams. Music executives told her to give up, go to college, and be a “normal” teenager. She had a goal in mind, and she fought to stick with that goal. It’s rare to find a young, pop artist who writes all of her own songs and has a soulful voice. The topics that Jojo writes about are real, and it gives listeners a glimpse into her personal life. Music like this encourages people to be themselves and to be the best they can be.

Even though it took Jojo 10 years to give the world another album, she’s only 25, which means that there are a lot of great things ahead. I definitely have Mad Love for Jojo and thank her for helping me through my awkward middle school days.