Mo’Ju
When Mojo Ruiz de Luzuriaga, known professionally as Mo’Ju (formerly Mojo Juju), dropped her album Native Tongue in 2018, it was one of the most important albums Australia had seen in years. Collecting a slew of awards and nominations, the release commanded the attention of a nation. A career-defining moment for the singer-songwriter, Native Tongue was the culmination of years of quiet, consistent hard work in the industry.
When Mojo Ruiz de Luzuriaga, known professionally as Mo’Ju (formerly Mojo Juju), dropped her album Native Tongue in 2018, it was one of the most important albums Australia had seen in years. Collecting a slew of awards and nominations, the release commanded the attention of a nation. A career-defining moment for the singer-songwriter, Native Tongue was the culmination of years of quiet, consistent hard work in the industry.
The release also marked a personal and very purposeful step in a new creative direction. Where her previous output avoided the intimate and raw, Native Tongue burst out like a diary on record – a deep exploration of Mo’Ju’s Indigenous and Fillipino identity and how it had shaped her. In terms of Mo’Ju’s career and the Australian music landscape, it drew a new line in the sand: “I think people are starting to realise I’m not fucking around,” she quipped. “I came here to kick ass and chew gum. And I’m all outta gum.”
Mo’Ju comes with another offering in 2021 – O.K. Sitting somewhere between an EP and an album, O.K. (produced and co-written by Henry Jenkins and Lewis Coleman) is a vulnerable and introspective reflection upon mental health and loneliness. Despite its melancholy subject matter, the songwriting and production of O.K. is playful and experimental, leaving audiences feeling as though the music itself is the antidote for sadness.
Mo'Ju – O.K.
O.K. is out now digitally and on limited edition vinyl via Heavy Machinery Records.
