REVIEW: Jupiter Queen’s “Just a Taste” EP

Review by Jesse Skinner.

Jupiter Queens debut EP, “Just a Taste,” is a perfect mix of heavy soulful riffs, catchy lyrics with soothing vocals, and an abundance of bass-thumping rhythms. Even though this is their debut EP, the band are no strangers to the local scene. Deriving from the band Black Belt Jones, Jupiter Queen went through numerous lineup changes before finally settling with Mike Langone, Tom Omarra, Eric Braymer, and Michael Foote. They are a force to be reckoned with; Jupiter Queen delivers the goods with their debut.

Cover art by Sarah Petrucci

Musically, they achieve a high-energy stoner rock sound, with an early-Black-Sabbath-mixed-with-a-Queens-of-the-Stone-Age feel. Each track on the EP effortlessly flows right into the next. The lyrics are written as artistic renditions of personal experiences. The band’s chemistry flows so well together that it creates the impression they have been performing together for a significantly longer period than expected. This EP gives a taste of what the band is capable of accomplishing, leaving an anticipation for a full release.

The artwork on the EP is a painting done by local artist Sarah Petrucci, which adds to the artistic approach to the release. Jupiter Queen also has a video out for the title track, which is directed by another local artist, Maxime Tarccardi. He is known for his dark imagery and artwork. Maxime helps to portray a nostalgic ’90s feel with the video.

The EP is more about quality than quantity, so it is difficult to highlight just one song. The title track, “Just a Taste,” is a perfect song for a radio single. My personal favorite is the ending track, “Longtime”. Every song on the EP may have you suffer from “stuck song syndrome” because of how unforgettable these tunes are.

Photograph by Rachael Skinner

Jupiter Queen have a couple nominations for the 2025 Extreme Music Awards, including Best Video for “Just a Taste,” and a nomination for Best Doom/Goth/Stoner Rock Band. I was fortunate enough to see them live this past summer, and I highly recommend catching a Jupiter Queen show when you can. Jupiter Queen is a rising local act that will leave a lasting impression.