Remember
Following the release of her bountiful ‘Blossom Carefully’ EP, Dutch-South African songstress Joya Mooi returns with heavenly hazed offering ‘Remember’.
If you were to mix together a blend of soul, alternative R&B, jazz and a sprinkling of trap infused percussion you would come out with the angelic voice that’s pushing the modern wave of soul right now… the unbelievably gifted Joya Mooi. Joya’s soundscape is entwined with trance inducing melodies, bounteous instrumental selection and pensive lyricism cloaked in a veil of heavenly range - she’s a star in the making to say the least. Trailing her ‘Blossom Carefully’ EP (which you should definitely give a listen, 'Good Girl' is an absolute riddim), Joya has garnered some notable attention, captivating the ears of massive platforms such as, Vogue NL, CLASH, Earmilk, Metal magazine, New Wave and many more.
In this alleviating number, Joya weaves through a Sim Fane & SIROJ production as we’re eased into an array of electrified keys, utopian synthesisers and steady drum sequences laying a soothing canvas for the songstress to transcend into that enchanting ‘I’ll be happy to oblige’ hook, reflecting on the ‘words of wisdom shared decades before us’.
Joya explains:
“When I was writing ‘Remember’ I was thinking a lot about the reckoning that a lot of thinkers, writers go through with their recipients. Thoughts that seemed revolutionary in the past, were hardly actually listened to, and are now part of our collective memory, part of our IG quotes and referred to in pop culture. I’m intrigued by how works are received, how much our current time dictates to what extent we can listen. I try to hold work I love close...that’s kind of easy. But this song reminds me to be open to any idea, cause even when some things may sound ‘radical’, I might welcome it with open arms in a few years...but it may need attention now.”
Joya and her team accompany the captivating soundscape with a stunning music video directed by the incredibly talented duo, Bob Sizoo and Najim Jansen. The alluring visual conversation retains Joya’s consoling manner and hypnotising vocals, and sees her reflect on her past self styled in an illustrious wardrobe as she elegantly recites her lulling lyricism by the coastline. Bob Sizoo says for himself:
“The song looks back at remembering in a general sense. We’ve chosen to shoot at this specific sculpture and location to emphasise on the feeling of being interwoven with your past. Duplicating Joya throughout the video was also a reference to how our memories can take on their own shapes and forms based on our perspectives.”
With more offerings on the horizon, Joya Mooi only continues to transcend our expectations with her soothing sound that’s slowly but surely propelling her into the limelight. So make sure you take in this fresh sound before she takes over!