Nao Opens Up About Her Journey and New Album Jupiter After Battling Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Nao has come a long way since her early days as Jarvis Cocker’s backing singer. From being a Grammy-nominated artist known for her unique blend of “wonky funk,” she’s faced setbacks in her career due to chronic fatigue syndrome. But on her fourth album Jupiter, the 37-year-old artist has learned to “ride the waves” and embrace the challenges that come with her journey.
In an interview on the verge of releasing Jupiter, Nao shared how it feels to put an album out into the world. “It feels really similar to being pregnant,” she says with a laugh. “It’s really exciting in the beginning, then it gets a bit tedious, and you’re stuck in the process because you need to finish it. Get it out.” As we chat in an east London cinema cafe, surrounded by buggies and a mum-and-baby screening of Babygirl, Nao reflects on the emotional weight of releasing a deeply personal project. “And sometimes, it can also be just as painful.”
Despite the challenges, Jupiter radiates a sense of peace and contentment. The album is a beautiful mix of pillow-soft soul, experimental R&B, and airy acoustic moments, all underscored by her angelic, ethereal voice. It also nods to the “wonky funk” sound that first put Nao on the map when she emerged in 2015. Jupiter serves as a sequel of sorts to her 2018 album Saturn, which explored the emotional turbulence of her 20s, while 2021’s And Then Life Was Beautiful was born from the uncertainty and chaos of the post-pandemic world.
However, the road to Jupiter has not been without its obstacles. In 2021, just before the release of And Then Life Was Beautiful, Nao revealed she had been diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), a chronic condition that left her severely fatigued and battling what she describes as a low-grade depression. “You can only do a small percentage of what you were capable of,” she says, describing how even walking to the interview required extra effort. “For example, walking to meet you here, I’d probably have to take a taxi home. And then I’d be in bed for the rest of the day.”
Though the condition left her unable to tour for a period, Nao is now on the mend and preparing to hit the road later this year. She credits her recovery to a disciplined low-carb diet, which aids in managing her energy levels. With Jupiter, she’s learned to find balance, creating an album that reflects her growth and resilience. Despite the personal and physical struggles, Nao’s sound continues to evolve, offering listeners a beautiful blend of emotion, experimentation, and joy.
