Feelin' joy when listening to Joy 🎧
How is that Joy Crookes never disappoints? | MC #92
Hey Hi Hello,
Today, let me serve you something fresh and insanely good from Joy Crookes. If you haven’t heard of her yet, now’s the time to get on board.
Joy Crookes is a British singer-songwriter with Bangladeshi and Irish roots, who blends neo-soul-infused R&B with strong storytelling that hits straight to the heart. Imagine Erykah Badu’s soulful energy and confidence mixed with Amy Winehouse’s emotional rawness and a touch of Angie Stone’s finesse - that's how Joy sounds to me. Since emerging with her early singles, she’s been hailed as one of the most exciting new voices in the UK music scene, captivating listeners with her rich, sultry vocals and effortlessly cool presence.
Joy’s been on my radar since 2018, thanks to her flawless COLORS performance with "Mother May I Sleep With Danger?". Let me tell you, observing her evolution these past few years, I have a feeling Joy Crookes (or Crooksie, as she and her fans call her) is coming for the R&B/pop throne using her hypnotic, deep, and raspy voice. Mark my words!
"I Know You’d Kill" 🔪
I love how radiant and genuinely cinematic this one sounds, making it feel like the soundtrack to a high-stakes revenge thriller. Don’t miss these Kill-Bill vibes in the music video! Every note and lyric builds a tense yet hypnotic atmosphere, making it in my opinion one of her most gripping releases to date.
Also, check out how powerful the story stands behind this song:
“I Know You’d Kill is a song I wrote for my manager, Charlie, because I tripped balls at Glastonbury and believed someone in our team was bad news. I panicked so much I almost cried. In an effort to reassure me, she turns to me and goes “you know Nay (my best mate) and I would kill for you”. My lack of sobriety, her presence and my trust in her made her look so shiny. She was literally glittering.
When it came to the video, Jake Erland and I sat in a greasy spoon in Peckham and spoke about our favourite fighting, revenge films. Shortly after, Jake had me training to physically fight. And then we made this music video.
Thank you Charlie and Nay for keeping me safe. It’s A1 having protective mates.”
"Pass the Salt" 🧂
Ever since it dropped in January, I can’t go a day without playing it at least once. This song totally conquered my heart with its playful call-and-response vocals, sassy lyrics, punchy percussion, hip-hop influences, and unforeseen change-ups. There’s something undeniably James Bond-ish about it, too. It’s a 10/10 for me.
I’m always feelin' joy when listening to Joy, you know? Can’t wait for a full album packed with gems like these two.
Before we wrap up, let’s take a quick vote, shall we?
And that’s all for today. Thanks for being here 🫶
Wishing you a great Wednesday.
Until next time,
Dziękuję i buziaki przesyłam :)
I really enjoyed her 2021 album “Skin” which I only discovered in 2022 (or it probably would’ve made my 2021 AOTY list). I didn’t realize she had new music out, looking forward to the album!
I Know You’d Kill was my pick but both songs were great!