For the Jonas Brothers, “Happiness Begins” with a carnival.
The JoBros launched their reunion album, “Happiness Begins,” with just that: a Spotify-sponsored carnival held at a secret location in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, on Thursday night, just hours before the LP’s midnight drop.
Only steps away from the East River, the carnival was highlighted by a squeal-inducing mini-concert from the brotherly trio, featuring everything from 2008 hit “Burnin’ Up” to recent No. 1 single “Sucker,” which sealed their comeback after six years apart.
“Turns out we have an album coming out tonight. And we’re pretty excited about it, just sayin,’ ” said Kevin Jonas, 31, the oldest JoBro, who had been the quietest after the group’s split.
Amid attractions such as a swing ride, a balloon water race game, and funnel cake and popcorn stations, the brothers repped their New York-area roots in Teaneck, New Jersey.
“Jersey in the house!” said a camouflage-jacketed Nick Jonas, 26, the youngest JoBro, who had some solo success with songs such as 2014’s “Jealous.” “We have a tradition of launching our albums here in this city, New York. And [since] the Virgin Megastore is no longer in Times Square…we’re changing that tradition and this is gonna become the new tradition. Carnivals are way more fun.”
From skee ball to a high striker, there was certainly plenty of fun to be had before and after the Jonas Brothers performed songs such as current single “Cool.”
“Happiness Begins” — the Jonas Brothers’ first studio album since 2009’s “Lines, Vines and Trying Times” — finds the JoBros easily getting their pop mojo back. In addition to the soul-clapping “Sucker” and the chill-grooving “Cool,” the album features more summer-ready confections that play like cotton candy for the ears.
On “Only Human” and “Every Single Time,” the JoBros dip into No Doubt-esque ska-pop with some breezy reggae rhythms that go down as smoothly as a frozen daiquiri. Meanwhile, “I Believe” and “Don’t Throw It Away” are shimmering, soul-kissed midtempo ditties that hark back to their boy-band sweet spot.
But “Love Her,” a finger-snapping ballad straight out of the Ed Sheeran school, shows that the Jonas Brothers are all grown-up — and happily married — men now.