Jupiter in Velvet’s latest release Anthems 2 Love is a collection of songs well in keeping with the artistry he’s established since debuting in 2012. The American born UK based vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter stands apart from the pack for a variety of reasons. Few musicians and songwriters are as talented pouring old wine into new bottles as Jupiter in Velvet. The songs included on this release all have familiar reference points for listeners, but Jupiter never lingers over these similarities in such a way that he ends up sounding like a skillful mimic and nothing else. The first cut “A Cooler Shade of Mad” is a perfect case in point.
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It begins with some light sound effects and guitar before the main body of the song takes over. He has a signature guitar style borrowing motifs and influences from clear forbearers, but there’s a personalized twist he brings to these elements that clearly marks them as something his own. This is a quality of his songwriting and performances we’ve heard from Jupiter in Velvet on past releases and it continues serving him well here. There are definitely anthemic elements running through this track, but it’s noticeable how Velvet maintains tight control over how the song develops rather than performing it as a free-wheeling and out of control rock track. It has an unusual approach to percussion as well.
I’ve enjoyed many Jupiter in Velvet songs from the past and “Stand Up” is one of the best tracks I’ve heard yet from him. It’s a defining example for many of the elements separating him from the vast swath of would-be retro minded performers out there; where many treat iconic elements like butterflies pinned under glass and do nothing new with them. Not so with Jupiter In Velvet. Instead, he refurbishes these elements in his own image and his personality comes through during every track. He’s likewise unafraid to mix together seemingly incongruous elements as he does here. The acoustic grounding of the track gives it added weight it might have otherwise lacked.
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“Forever & a Day” is another bounty of musical ideas that never tires listeners. His songwriting has a condensed focus throughout Anthems 2 Love and this track is a prime example of that – there’s a lot going on here, but it never threatens to overtake listeners and has an obvious design throughout the course of the performance. I especially like the vocal here. The colorful closer “We Are All ONE” doesn’t rage and conjure whirlwinds of sound, but nevertheless percolates with obvious passion and commitment to its message. It ends Anthems 2 Love in a manner you won’t soon forget. This collection, overall, reinforces everything I admire about Jupiter in Velvet’s talent and shows he is still full of enthusiasm for bringing his art to the masses. His music isn’t insular and cut off from life; instead, it embraces life with a fervor few other musicians bring to the table. If you haven’t yet heard Jupiter in Velvet, you need to hear this.
Jodi Marxbury