As you press play on Jupiter, the lead single, 'Wildflowers', welcomes you to the sonic journey across the 11 tracks that make up NAO's fourth studio album. It is a follow-up to 2021's And Then Life Was Beautiful and a sister to 2018's Saturn. Seven years later, we meet a very different NAO who is stepping into joy and embracing what it offers.
NAO's musical return was a significant moment, marked by the release of 'Wildflowers' and a series of intimate shows across Los Angeles, New York, Amsterdam, and London. These shows, including the sold-out performance at Hackney Round Chapel Church, marked her return to the stage after a 5-year absence. We had the privilege of experiencing this firsthand. Her words, 'It was really special. It was so beautiful, and I wanted to do something like a put-back show and something full of fans. For us to feel closer, for it to feel special, for all the people following my music over the years,' echoed the sentiment of her fans. This show was a testament to the deep connection NAO's music has with her fans and the transformative journey she has taken to reach this point.
Jupiter introduces a different NAO from its colourful nature to its sonic pallet, the album from start to finish. The conception of this came outside of music. Instead, it was part of the healing process she underwent after going through Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), a chronic fatigue syndrome, as well as navigating motherhood and dealing with general life events which took place. Coming out of this time was what led her to Jupiter. She explains, "I was healing, and everything was getting better and better over the years. And then I found Jupiter, the planet of joy, hope, and good fortune." The planet and all it symbolised resonated with her in the space of her life and how it felt. "It feels like the right message for where I'm at right now. I've just come through this real personal struggle, and Jupiter being the planet of joy is something I've been actively working towards".
The destination of joy was one she could reach as you play through the album. The intentionality comes across as you take in the project, which is captured in her signature way of blending her style of Alternative R&B sounds with electronic tones and poppier vibes. 'The one thing that my music does is that you'll get a taste of everything that has influenced me. I'm not scared to do a dark electronic track and then jump to an Afrobeats-inspired tune or an R&B ballad.' She shares, engaging her audience with the diversity of her influences. Even within this sentiment, when it comes to shifts that took place during absence, her views on what her music sounded like and what the blueprint of what her sound was is something that she let go of to move with where she found herself to be in the fluidity of her sound and where she has arrived at right now.
Taping into the lyrical themes and the subject matters on the album, this was something that feels like it should've come with the same ease it was delivered; however, the realities of which took a while before the album was able to take shape in what it became. NAO shares the process for the album to come together: "I remember starting to write again, and I felt better about my health; parenting had also become easier, and I had more time to be creative. I remember picking up the pen and doing some writing sessions, but it wasn't flowing." It would take a year before she got to the point of writing material she was able to connect with. Reuniting with some of her long-time collaborators, including LOXE and Stint, as the main producers of the album, she also worked with Kareem James, Dyo, Soaky, and Lauren Keen Dayyon in the writing of the album. Once she finally reached a place where the album could take shape, it unlocked another side of the artist, she explored further in the album. "This record is way more playful. When you hear songs like Happy People, Poolside, or even We All Win, they're all relatively light, quite chanty, and jovial, which I explored further in this record." When speaking to which song was the most meaningful to her on the album, there is one track which speaks to the essence of the album and perfectly sums up Jupiter: "The song that sums up the whole album quite well is 30 Something, it's an honest account of where I've been and where I am" The track 7th on the album is an autobiographical track written with Caroline Pennell and producer Stint it speaks to a shift of an old version of NAO and the new version of who she is now.
Apart from the sonics and lyricism across the album, another defining aspect of this new era is the visual aspect of Jupiter's whole era. The use of the colour pink was intentional and has been present across all the various aspects of the project. From the music videos to the artwork and even the physical product, it was another representation of the essence of the album's meaning. "I wanted to represent Jupiter through the colour pink, just because pink is also joyful for me. It's beautiful, it's warm, it's a cuddle, it's a hug. It lifts your spirit." She shares why the colour of the album was chosen. Once again, displaying the stark contrast of Saturn, which was represented by the use of a balloon, Jupiter was symbolised via the feeling the colour of pink brought and highlighted for this project.
The album's takeaway for the audience is a simple mission she has. "I want people to enjoy the album and for it to lift their spirits and vibrate their energy. If it does that, then I'm happy." This is something that she shares when it comes to what she expects of the project, which is none. Her experiences have allowed her to detach from music and not be so fixated on the outcome and results, something that has changed and shifted her outlook regarding her creative process and how she has been able to create this album compared to her previous work. The conversation around this stems deeper than music and comes from the lessons motherhood has taught her regarding how she views her career. "My work is what I do, not who I am. Knowing that and having that realisation has changed my outlook and my whole being, and I've been able to separate what I do from my identity."
As we gather on set to capture NAO for this cover shoot, she exudes excellent energy; throughout the day and the various looks she can transform through, joy and kindness come through in the images and throughout the set. There is a change from within that has come through in everything she has spoken to in our conversation; getting to experience her on set a few days after our conversation, NAO encapsulates her joy and brings that through. Before we wrap up our conversation, I enquired what she is looking forward to in this next chapter of her life and career, and her response rings true to all that we have spoken about and speaks true to this era of NAO. "I'm looking forward to all the things that I can't see coming, to remaining open and receiving the blessings that will come my way without trying to force anything. Hopefully, some beautiful opportunities will come from this album. I don't know where they are yet, but let's see where it takes us."
Credits:
Photographer / Creative Director: Joe Puxley @joepuxx
Photo Assistant: Shekel Kennedy @shenellkennedy
Producer: Seneo Mwamba @SeneoMwamba
Project Manager: Zekaria Al-Bostani - @zek.snaps
Styling: Ramario Chevoy @ramariochevoy
Hairstylist: Sheree-Jourdan @x_sjourdan
Make up: Dalila Bone @dalila_mua
Nail Tech: Sasha Walters @sash.her
Art Direction: Maureen Kargbo @maureenkargbostudio
Creative Assistant: Whitney Sanni @its.whit_
Design: @margokatesmith & @ShalemAlone
BTS: Ben @fleeting_images
Writer: Seneo Mwamba @Seneo Mwamba
Studio: Blankbox Studio @Blankboxstudio
PR: Imran Malik Publicity @imranmalikpublicity @katerinamarka
Styling Credits:
Look 1
Shirt, trench coat & bag from MCM
Trousers from Sydney Davies menswear
Denim boots from Kurt Geiger
Earrings & ring from lucky little blighters
Look 2
Pink sculptured jacket by jacqueline Loekito
Heels by Kurt Geiger
Earrings & bracelet by Wanni Fuga
Look 3
Jacket by wealthy boys club studio
Shirt & tie from Topshop
Leggings from lazyoaf
Heels Kurt Geiger
Earrings from ECE London
Ring from lucky little blighters
Look 4
Jumper & skirt set by Jacqueline Loekito
Heels by Kurt Geiger
Earrings by Ahkeke
Look 5
Custom hoodie & wide leg joggers by kintsu official
Heels by Kurt Geiger
Earrings by Ahkeke
