Album Review: Kilbey Kennedy - Jupiter 13

The Kilbey Kennedy collaboration between the church’s Steve Kilbey and All India Radio’s Martin Kennedy has yielded many wonderful tracks over the years. They return after four years with an album that comes wrapped in psychedelic prog references and takes us on epic interstellar adventures.

The slick and confident presentation of this album reflects its creators' mastery of their craft. The cosmic drift of Jupiter 13 offers a soothing, immersive, dreamy vibe intended to cocoon listeners and transport them far from Earth where they can luxuriate in zero gravity for a while. Kilbey brings the wistful shoegaze of the church to the mix. His earnest vocals suggest Major Tom, seemingly strung out in heavens high. Kilbey also steers this album on a sweet indie pop course and this approach compliments the spellbinding swirl of Kennedy’s rich synth textures and melodies.

As we ride through these massively anthemic tunes, it's not hard to imagine the duo presenting this album on the same gigantic scale on which Roger Waters presents Pink Floyd albums these days. Across ten minutes the title track shifts through a variety of moods and atmospheres, building itself up into driving indie shoegaze before relinquishing into a beautiful piano interlude.

This album shimmers with a strange beauty that’s accentuated by dark and haunting undercurrents.