New York’s Tripping Jupiter are back — glitter, grit, and all. On October 17, the glam-pop visionaries return with “Crack That Drum,” their first release since the award-winning debut Lipstick of the Brave, and a thunderous reminder that dancing can still be a revolutionary act.
Produced by Audible Yays — the dynamic duo of Barb Morrison (Lady Gaga, Blondie) and Bart Schoudel (Beyoncé, Justin Bieber) — the track pulses with infectious indie-pop energy and the swaggering theatricality that has become Tripping Jupiter’s calling card.
Dance Like Defiance
“Crack That Drum” is more than a song — it’s a manifesto in motion. With lyrics like “I got a Tuesday smile, I took the blue from the sky,” front person Madstone Rowan (he/they) commands the spotlight with a wink and a snarl, embodying both glam mischief and quiet resilience.
The hook — “Crack that drum!” — lands like a rallying cry: part celebration, part protest, and entirely necessary in a world that often feels like it’s unraveling.
“The song is meant to be fun and danceable,” Madstone explains, “but my mindset at the time was that dancing is not only celebratory but also a form of rebellion. A lot is going on in the world that doesn’t make us feel like celebrating. This is my small attempt at countering that energy.”
They add:
“During the AIDS crisis, the queer community had a saying: ‘We bury our dead in the morning, protest in the afternoon, and dance all night.’ That mantra stuck with me — and it definitely seeped into this song.”
Beyond the Binary, Beyond the Ordinary
Tripping Jupiter have never fit inside a box. Drawing comparisons to Scissor Sisters, MUNA, and early Bowie, the band sits at the intersection of theatrical pop, unapologetic queerness, and emotional honesty.
At the helm is Madstone — vocalist, keyboardist, and fearless storyteller — who describes their identity as “beyond the binary.” That refusal to conform isn’t just aesthetic; it’s philosophical.
“For us, music and life should have no limits,” they say. “To live that truth means embracing vulnerability, desire, and the messy, magical parts of being human.”
That spirit of freedom runs through Tripping Jupiter’s sound: shimmering synths meet sharp hooks, heartbreak waltzes with defiance, and every chorus feels like an invitation to live louder.
Crack the Drum, Crack the Silence
If Lipstick of the Brave was the band’s introduction — a bold debut that earned critical acclaim and broadcast their mission of empowerment — “Crack That Drum” is their evolution: sharper, bolder, and unafraid to dance through the darkness.
In a cultural moment that often feels cynical, Tripping Jupiter offer something refreshingly sincere — joy as resistance, rhythm as resilience.
Because sometimes, the most radical thing you can do is dance like hell and mean it.
🎧 “Crack That Drum” out October 17
💿 Produced by Audible Yays (Barb Morrison & Bart Schoudel)
✨ Follow @trippingjupiter on Instagram for updates, videos, and behind-the-scenes magic
