[11] After experiencing writer's block,[12] Howard put Alabama Shakes on hold to pursue side projects and to have complete control over the recording of Jaime in 2018.

In addition to discussing the death of her sister, the album explores growing up poor,[9] the prejudice that her parents faced as an interracial couple, and her struggle with religious faith.

[9] Jaime has an eclectic style that features elements of synth-rock, blues rock, neo soul, experimental music, psychedelia, soul, gospel, funk, hip hop, contemporary R&B, electronic music, retro-soul, jazz fusion, spoken word, avant-jazz, new age, trap, noise rock, funkadelia, alternative country, power pop, and doo-wop.

[1][2][3][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] According to Ann Powers of Slate, the music is a departure from the revivalist rock of Alabama Shakes, instead exploring a cross between jazz, funk, and soul.

[25] Writing for Uproxx, Steven Hyden says Howard abandons typical rock-band dynamics in favor of "darker, weirder, groovier, and more psychedelic" sounds, making it difficult to categorize the album simply as rock, R&B, or jazz.

[28] Howard also performed a set for NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series[29] and made promotional appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

[46] Reviewing for Uproxx, Hyden praised the album for its differences from Howard's previous work and genre-bending mix of funk, jazz, and hip-hop.

[43] Pitchfork awarded Jaime the distinction of "Best New Music", with Pearce describing it as a "thrilling opus that pushes the boundaries of voice, sound, and soul to new extremes".

[16] Reviewing for AllMusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine believed the album will warrant repeated listening, with "subsequent spins... profound and nourishing".