Io, the closest of the Galilean moons in Jupiter’s orbit, is one of the most geologically active objects in our solar system. On iO, we’re in Melbourne artist JUPiTA’s orbit, descending gracefully to this porous, seismic surface.
“Earth 2 JUPiTAAAAAAAAA” – iO starts with ‘earth2’, it’s opening phrase infectiously cycling in your brain. JUPiTA takes us on a sonically celestial journey, prismic synths backgrounding feelings of escapism and nostalgia, a perfect invite to a world in flux. This first half of iO is glittery and textured: polyrhythmic percussion and slick baselines entangled around a toil of reflective and floating lyrical melodies. As we descend, the layers in JUPiTA’s harmonies reverberate, flutterings like butterflies and dragonflies; buzzing, addictive.
Then, we land upon iO’s eruptive surface. On ‘ASTRALLY PROJECT’, snappy snares and brassy flickers decorate elaborately bouncy layers of bassy percussion. ‘SYNCHRONiCiTiES’ is licked by a strata of deep, energetic yearnings; again, not straightforward, but propelled by a 6/4 beat.
By the time we've reached the final track ‘2ME’, we’ve arrived at JUPiTA herself. Engraved in her warpy vocals are pockets of passionate volatility, and introspective twirls of JUPiTA’s mind. iO might be a debut album, but its gravitational pull is undeniable.
Words by badbitchbenny