Joy Crookes Ditches Perfectionism, Unleashes Soulful New Vibes

Joy Crookes is a talented singer-songwriter whose music is known for its soulful and thoughtful style. Growing up, Joy's father encouraged her to listen to a wide variety of music, from artists like Nick Cave and King Tubby to bands like The Pogues, as well as music from Pakistan. Joy, who has Irish and Bangladeshi roots, learned to appreciate different cultures through music. She bought her first album, Marvin Gaye's What's Going On, and started sharing her own covers online, using a guitar she bought herself. Her debut album, Skin, was released in 2021 and received a lot of praise, earning her a nomination for the Mercury Prize. Joy was thrilled when she performed at Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage, a dream come true for her.

After her successful first album, Joy began working on her second album, Juniper. Many artists worry about making a second album, but Joy always has something to say in her music. She started writing songs for Juniper years ago and shared some of them on social media before the album was finished. Joy wanted every song to sound perfect, which made the process take longer. For example, her recent single needed many takes before she was satisfied. Joy believes that imperfections in her music make it more interesting and real. She doesn't want her songs to be too polished because she thinks the little mistakes add character. Some tracks on Juniper were recorded in one session, and she even allowed herself to sing off key to keep the music honest.

The journey to finishing Juniper was not easy for Joy. She struggled with anxiety and went through a difficult period in her personal life, including an unhealthy relationship. Her anxiety became so severe that it affected her physically, making it hard for her to eat and function normally. With the help of therapy, Joy started to recover and wrote songs about her experiences. She found support from her friends and manager, which helped her feel stronger. Joy's new album reflects her growth and resilience, and she is now preparing for a European tour. She also made her film debut, showing that she is interested in exploring new creative opportunities. Joy feels proud of her achievements and is excited for the future, grateful for the support she has received and the progress she has made.