Jupiter
in Velvet - In2 the Arms of Love
It’s
virtually impossible to not be excited about this album and music. Jupiter in
Velvet delivers an action packed sixth release entitled In2 the Arms of Love
and it’s the same formula that’s made his previous albums stand out refined
just a little more than before. No one should mistake this for implying a
creative rut. It is clear, instead, that Jupiter in Velvet raises the bar for
himself with each successive release – challenging himself to dispatch his
idiosyncratic material in a manner that proves compelling each time out. It
certainly doesn’t hurt that Jupiter has a message crossing national and
personal borders with its universal themes of love and togetherness. This isn’t
a performer mired in self-pity and morbid self reflection. Jupiter in Velvet,
instead, is connected with joy and life on every song. It makes for one of
2017’s greatest listening experiences to date.
Title
tracks don’t always start albums and it’s worth noting it when they do. “In2
the Arms of Love” has an affirmative rush carrying listeners along from the
first. Much of Jupiter in Velvet’s material has an upbeat attitude and few
songs embody that better than this number. The second song on the album “’Till
the End of the World” has a physical presence few other songs on In2 the Arms
of Love possess. The guitar playing sounds like it is too Neanderthal, too simplistic
to work but it’s precisely the reason why this song is so effective. The
drumming matches its tribal energies and the two sonic elements, in tandem,
become the song’s defining musical moments. “How It’s Gonna Be” has a
distinctly different air thanks to its use of acoustic instruments, but
electric guitar makes its presence felt here in a much more artful fashion.
“Supercharged” does an one hundred eighty degree turn from the aforementioned
song into some manic guitar pop with a restless rock and roll spirit thrashing
away deep within. It really hits its stride with the chorus and Jupiter in
Velvet proves capable of matching the song’s energy without a single lull in his
performance.
The
album’s second half concerns itself less with guitar and more with pop
overtones. Few songs make this clearer than the track “Nowhere 2 Run”. The high
point of the song is another fine chorus that rouses listener’s spirits. Other
tracks in the album’s second half have a more broad based musical approach that
doesn’t favor the guitar but, rather, incorporates it with the overall modern
sound. The electronic, rock, and pop elements never sound like they are working
at cross purposes. “Mars Ain’t That Far” leans more towards the rock side of
the spectrum, but there’s some inventive keyboard work enlivening the song and
sweetening its punky edge. “Bang On” is one of the most melodically strong
songs on the album while still retaining enough guitar firepower to give the
track gravitas. Jupiter in Velvet’s In2 the Arms of Love has musical unity and
coherence we rarely hear these days and it’s without a doubt born from the
artist’s total confidence in his aims. He succeeds here in a big way.
Dale
Butcher
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