Jojo Effect: The Electrifying Force of Modern Funk Revival
Jojo Effect is a dynamic Australian funk and soul band that has spearheaded the modern revival of the genre. Hailing from Melbourne, the group achieved a major commercial milestone with their 2022 album Resonant Frequency, which debuted at number 3 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified gold within six months.
Early career
Formed in 2015, Jojo Effect began as a collective of session musicians and producers meeting at late-night jam sessions in Melbourne's Brunswick district. Their self-released 2017 EP, First Contact, generated significant local buzz, leading to a signing with the independent label Future Classic in early 2018.
Breakthrough
The band's mainstream breakthrough arrived in 2020 with the single Get Back Up. The track became a viral streaming hit and received heavy rotation on Australian radio, eventually peaking at number 15 on the ARIA Singles Chart. This success paved the way for their acclaimed debut album, Voltage, released later that same year.
Key tracks
Get Back Up — This 2020 single broke the band nationally with its infectious bassline and optimistic lyrics, becoming their first certified platinum record.
Golden Hour — A standout from the Voltage album, this track showcases their sophisticated horn arrangements and earned them the 2021 AIR Award for Best Independent Soul/R&B Release.
Resonate — The lead single from their 2022 album, this collaboration with vocalist Kira Puru became a top 20 hit and expanded their audience beyond the core funk scene.
Circuit Breaker — Known for its intricate instrumental breakdown, this live favorite demonstrates the band's technical prowess and deep groove.
Continued Success and Collaborations
Following the success of Resonant Frequency, Jojo Effect embarked on a sold-out national tour and performed at major festivals like Splendour in the Grass. Their work has extended to notable collaborations, including production credits for fellow Australian artist Genesis Owusu and a featured performance on the 2023 single Shimmer by electronic duo Lastlings.
The band's sound, a tight fusion of classic 70s funk with modern production sensibilities, continues to evolve. They are currently recording their third studio album, with sessions reportedly involving legendary bassist Pino Palladino, signaling a deliberate step into more mature musical territory.
For fans of the vibrant Australian funk and soul scene, similar artists include The Putbacks, who share a focus on raw, instrumental groove. Sampa the Great also intersects with their world, blending soulful vocals with conscious lyricism. The energetic live show of The Bamboos offers a comparable vintage-modern fusion, while Hiatus Kaiyote explores similarly complex, neo-soul adjacent rhythms.
The music of Jojo Effect maintains a strong presence on radio stations featured on this website. Their hits are staples on contemporary soul and funk FM stations, while their deeper album cuts are frequently featured on independent music radio stations and specialist online radio streams dedicated to classic groove revival.
Listeners can explore the energetic catalog of Jojo Effect through the radio stations available on onairium.com, where their genre-defining funk and soul tracks are regularly in rotation.
