In his signature smoky croon, Jupiter in Velvet colorizes a rather basic string part in “The Greatest Gift” with a passionate emotion that can be found throughout the lyrics of his new record, Anthems 2 Love. Inspired as much by the contemporary experimentalism of a burgeoning new era in rock n’ roll as it is by classic concepts and uncompromising punk ethics, Anthems 2 Love is a highly vocal record for Jupiter in Velvet, and though it doesn’t tell us anything we didn’t already know about his craft, it’s a nice addition to the 2019 indie songbook just the same.
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The master mix here is squeaky clean, particularly when it comes to the guitar parts in “A Cooler Shade of Mad,” “The Greatest Gift” and “Stand Up,” but it never verges on neo-pop saccharinity. I think the strings are a lot more appealing in Anthems 2 Love than they have been in past efforts, and when coupled with Jupiter in Velvet’s unmistakable lead vocal, they yield some of the best harmonies I’ve ever heard this guy record. In some ways, this is an evolved sound from what we heard on Beautiful New Day, while in others it’s a complete departure from that LP’s compositional style.
There’s definitely a progressive feel to this tracklist, and though I wouldn’t call Anthems 2 Love a concept piece (mostly because it lacks any of the camp that would come standard with such a recording), the fluidity to the music here makes it feel as though each song is connected in some unspoken, aesthetical way. It would be really interesting to hear what Jupiter in Velvet could come up with in a rock opera-type format, but at the same time, I like the jagged edge that a lot of his music has in this present incarnation.
Jupiter in Velvet’s voice is almost always the main linchpin in this EP, and in “Forever & a Day,” “If Not Peace… (Then it’s War)” and “We Are All One,” it works to define the mood of the material through more than just words. I don’t know that these songs were constructed exclusively around his singing abilities, but in any case, there’s no disputing how well this trio of compositions show off his vocal, which is sounding just a bit tighter and more natural here than it has in his last two proper albums (save for one or two choice tracks on In2 the Arms of Love).
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Anthems 2 Love is by no means the only Jupiter in Velvet record worth listening to, nor is it the most evocative collection of songs credited to his name, but if you’re looking for some unpretentious alternative rock to get through the winter season and bring in 2020 in style, it’s an indie EP that stacks up well with most every other that I’ve heard lately. This is vintage Jupiter in Velvet – if there ever was such a thing – and it’s a sound I’ll be excited to hear a lot more of in the next ten years.
Joshua Corbin