NAO - 'JUPITER'

What’s good y'all? By now my favorite artists in R&B should be pretty evident if you’ve been hanging with me for a while. There’s something about UK R&B vocalist Nao and with the release of her fourth studio album, she has yet to disappoint me. Ok well let me be honest friends, this review took me a while to write because I wasn’t here for the album at first. Crazy right? Released on February 21, 2025, ‘Jupiter’ is the perfect follow up to both,  2021’s ‘And Then Life Was Beautiful’ and 2018’s ‘Saturn’. It seems like everytime she releases an album my world seems to be a little at a standstill trying to figure out which way to go. And while ‘Saturn’ and ‘And Then Life Was Beautiful’ gave me the release I needed, during those times. It is in this time and space that I didn't feel ready to move into happiness and clarity with Nao on ‘Jupiter.’ While I am finally aware of my energy during this season with this album, I am beyond ecstatic for the solace and serenity Nao has landed upon with 'Jupiter'. 

Singles 'WildFlowers' and 'Happy People' were not on my list of favorites. I was actually pretty disappointed to hear them initially. I’m honestly not sure what I was expecting with this album but I am glad I took my time to really listen to it because now I can't get enough of 'WildFlowers' and 'Happy People'. 'Wildflowers' is this song that really just tells you to let your hair down, saying forget what the world or anyone has to say let’s just be one and free. 'Happy People' is all about finding your people! Whether the circle is big or small you have found your tribe and that’s all you need. 

'Light Years' is a beautiful ballad, Nao always has to have at least one on the album right? I think this is the one lol. Keeping the celestial theme going 'Light Years' beautifully expresses how long you'd wait for such a once in a lifetime kind of love. 

'30 something' is beyond relatable. While Nao talks about her new role of Motherhood she also talks about letting go and being more free in this age, with the beginning of the chorus she says, “Cause I've been holding on to shit that don't belong to, Who I am as a 30 something…” 

Last but not least we had to have a song surrounding the album! Just Like 'Saturn', 'And Then Life Was Beautiful', 'Jupiter' is a beautiful track that lends to the ethereal feel of the album. Like Calgon, it just takes you away, the lyrics, the melody. 

Everyday I’ve fallen more in love with this album, and maybe one day my energy will be welcoming enough to join all the happy people on 'Jupiter.' Until then, I highly suggest you take a quick trip to this beautiful album. Links below: 

Nao

Apple

Spotify

Tidal 

Youtube