Jean Pierre: A New Chapter

Turning back has never been an option. With a career spanning decades and continents, Jean Pierre returns with “No Turning Back,” his second solo album and Pakate Records’ nineteenth release. Created around his 40th birthday and written entirely in Barcelona, the 12-track project blends techno, house, minimal, breakbeat, rumba rhythms, and hip-hop influences into a vivid reflection of his musical journey. Featuring close collaborators and new voices alike, the album captures both his artistic evolution and his belief in music as a meeting point rather than a turning point.

“No Turning Back” arrives at a pivotal moment in your life and career. What did reaching 40 unlock for you creatively, and how did that shape the direction of this album?
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Reaching 40 helped me slow down and really focus on creating something that is true to who I am. I wanted to share my influences and my musical upbringing in a body of work that reflects my full history in music. This album is very personal to me. It was also important to give something back to the people who have supported me throughout the years.

The record blends techno, house, minimal, breakbeat, rumba rhythms, and hip hop, essentially a lifetime of influences. When you started writing in Barcelona, did you have a sonic vision in mind, or did the album reveal itself through the process?

‍The album definitely revealed itself through the process. Being in Barcelona gave me the space to try new things and experiment without pressure. I focused on telling a story from the beginning to the end of the album. I wanted it to feel like a journey, something that unfolds naturally track by track.

‍You have lived and created across New York, Miami, and now Barcelona. How do these cities and their cultures leave their fingerprints on the tracks in “No Turning Back”?
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Each city has shaped me in a different way and brought its own energy into my life and my music. Having studios in each place helped me develop different sounds and constantly push my boundaries. New York, Miami, and now Barcelona have all played a major role in who I am as an artist today. I am grateful for every chapter and every place that helped shape this album.

‍The collaborations on the album range from longtime friends like Natalia Roth and Daniel Orpi to new voices like Jamie Coins, Hanie, and Casas. What did each collaborator bring to the project, and how did these relationships shape the identity of the record?
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Every collaborator shared the same dedication and respect for the music that I do, and that made the whole process very special. Each artist brought their own personality, ideas, and energy to the record, which pushed me creatively and motivated me to go even further. It was a real pleasure working with all of them, and I am truly thankful for every collaboration on this album.

The press release describes the album as a “meeting point, and never a turning point.” In a music landscape that is constantly shifting, what does that philosophy mean to you, both creatively and personally?
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To me, it means that we are always evolving and never standing still. I do this because I truly love the music more than anything, and it is the main driving force in my life. No matter the obstacles or changes that come our way, we keep moving forward. For me, there is no turning back.

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