Mission Jupiter is back. I am a huge fan of their first two albums, 2019’s Architecture and 2021’s Talk to Me, both thrilling and cinematic works. However, the lineup has changed significantly and thus the four-year gap with their new album, Aftermath, which releases today, June 20th.
The band hails from Belarus. The biggest change overall is the exit of Nastya Shevtsova on vocals, a huge loss in my opinion. In steps Kate Varsak, and I want to say, first and foremost, that she does an incredible job filling those shoes. The lineup has also lost Artem on bass and keys, which I think is quite important, too. The complete lineup on the new album is Kate Varsak on vocals, Eugene Zuyeu on drums, Vladimir Shvakel on guitars and backing vocals, and Dmitri Soldatenko on sax.
Their sound has changed somewhat. The music is less cinematic and more alternative. It still leans into progressive rock sounds, too, and their writing is overall less immediate. Talk To Me, for example, blew me away from first listen and never grew old. This album has plenty of highs, but also its fair share of lows. This album sounds like a band finding who they are again.
Kate’s vocals are razor-sharp; she can definitely handle the old material with its soaring melodies and powerful moments. I will say, however, that there are a few instances of “rap” vocals, which usually don’t bother me, but I really don’t think they work here. They always seem to make a song worse, not better, even though Kate performs them admirably.
That said, the album is rock solid. There isn’t a bad song here. I do think the first half is the stronger of the two. “Revelation” is a powerful introduction to Kate’s voice and it grabs your attention. “Sometimes it Hurts” is one of my favorites for its extremely sing-able chorus and emotive energy. “Human Nature” is another favorite, playing closer to a ballad; I love the chesty emotions and subtle keys that filter in and out.
“Self-Destruction” is where my enthusiasm wanes a little. It has more “attitude”, I guess, and I honestly don’t love that aspect. “Crippled Country”, though, follows and is yet another favorite of mine; I love the spacious sound and gorgeous sax solo. Sounds so good!
The second half has some winners, too. “Jak Spyniajecca Bol” is a reserved piece sung in the Slovak language (I think), and it feels just as catchy and emotive as the rest. “Bittersweet” is, unfortunately, another low spot for me; it is pleasant enough, but the climactic moment is rapping/talking vocals that don’t really work with the tone of the song.
The last three songs are all good. “The Dark” is an ambient interlude that I find beautiful and mysterious. “Nothing Lasts Forever” is basically an acoustic ballad with some cinema near the end; it’s a slowburn, but it’s undeniably lovely. The closer “This Is Not the End” is really cool; it features a voiceover about quantum mechanics, and the electronic-heavy edge to the rest reminds me of the band’s past albums. I love it.
Mission Jupiter has recovered admirably from losing some important people in their original sound. Aftermath is not on the level of the first two albums, but it does hint that such a thing could be possible. The band is finding themselves all over again, and Kate’s voice is a fantastic foundation, so I’m excited to see how they evolve and grow.
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Find Mission Jupiter online:
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The PROG Mind 
As always, thanks for bringing new (to me) artists to my attention. I listened to their first two albums and then the YT links you shared and found them to be a mixed bag. I didn’t hate any of them; some tunes were just better thought out and resonated with me better. Joy of Life and My Hypocrisy being two that really stood out. Of the four you linked I thought Self-Destruction was an absolute banger, and Sometimes it Hurts was also quite nice. I appreciate the introduction!
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