Two years after their Prism Sessions EP, rising indie rock band Jupiter’s Beard have released their latest four-track record Paper Towns, exhibiting a refined and maturing sound and storytelling charm. Out today (Friday, July 14), the EP combines their distinctive blend of heartfelt lyrics and energetic instrumentation with melodic piano lines, presenting a record that really captures the direction they’re looking to propel themselves in as they evolve.
Vocalist Spencer James wears his heart on his sleeve as the EP opens with Streetlight Romance – a rich and soulful start to the record, and one that demonstrates the band’s ability to craft intricate arrangements while maintaining an authentic sound. The decision to use live acoustic strings – skillfully performed by Anna McKee – instead of electronic synthesisers, adds a layer of depth to the track. It’s actually 16 beautiful violin layers, if you were wondering.
Streetlight Romance serves as a testament to the band’s growth as a three-piece, and a statement of intent moving forward as they incorporate more piano-based music into their repertoire. With its mature sound and thoughtful lyrics, such as “Love is the agony that swallows us all, but when you’re close to me, I won’t let you fall” – this song sets a high standard for the rest of the EP.
Keys-led lines bleed into Passengers, a track fans will already feel a familiarity with, particularly if you’ve seen Jupiter’s Beard live in the last 12 months, having found itself a regular feature in their main setlist.
Understated drums by Simon Lowe allow the piano-based melody to take centre stage once again. An infectious rhythm from Like Brown and flutters of electric guitar make it an immediate crowd-pleaser, but what I love is how Jupiter’s Beard captures the essence of various decades to create a sound that’s universally loved, nostalgic and fresh all at once. The canorous keys and ballad-like style is reminiscent of the 80s, drawing comparisons to the likes of Peter Cetera, while Spencer’s vocals often boast similarities to James’ Tim Booth, who had their most popular hits in the 90s. Meanwhile, more recent indie sleaze and pop rock groups like The Kooks and Scouting For Girls feel like they’d also slot seamlessly into a Spotify playlist with Jupiter’s Beard, who have developed a knack for infectious hooks and thoughtful narratives.
Taking a slightly different direction, Heart in Two injects a dose of upbeat energy into the EP, and has been the one I’ve found myself mindlessly singing while pottering around the house with its joyously catchy chorus and gorgeous vocal harmonies.
Recorded during the same session as their previously released single, Sunrise, the band made the deliberate decision to withhold its release until they had a clear direction for their musical path. Now, with the release of Paper Towns, they deemed it the perfect time to share this lively track, and with its guitar-forward approach, it adds a cohesive thread that connects their sonic journey.
Rounding off the EP is a re-release of Like an Animal. Originally put out in 2018, the band took down their earlier material as part of a musical reset, however, Like an Animal remained a song they felt strongly about.
Spencer explained: “We had developed in our musicianship in a way that the songs online in 2018 didn’t represent who we had evolved into as a band. However, the only song we regretted taking down was this one. People always ask us if we were going to re-do it, like we had other songs, but we decided we wouldn’t meddle with it, and would release it as it was originally recorded. We are very excited to have the song back on platforms for people to hear!
“You can definitely hear that the song was recorded a good few years ago, but it’s nice to hear the development come full circle with it being on the same EP as a song like Streetlight Romance.”
Although it’s a much older recording, Like An Animal is in no way out of place on the Paper Towns EP, still bearing 80s sensibilities with a Bryan Adams-esque guitar intro, and retaining those melodious qualities that characterise Jupiter’s Beard. The song serves as a nostalgic reminder of their past while highlighting their growth and development as a band, and it feels like a really sentimental way to close the record.
From the mature and intricately arranged Streetlight Romance to the energetic and danceable Heart in Two, the Paper Towns EP showcases Jupiter’s Beard’s musical prowess while demonstrating the band’s artistic progression and evolving sound over the last five-or-so years.
To celebrate the launch, Jupiter’s Beard will be headlining at The Underground on July 21, with support from Mara Liddle and Sarcoline. This live performance promises to be a high-energy event, with the EP’s tracks taking centre stage alongside their previous hits and hopefully an unconventional cover, too.
In the meantime, get to know the Paper Towns EP by Jupiter’s Beard here:
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