Following her lead single ‘Feet Don’t Fail Me Now’ which premiered as Annie Mac’s Hottest Record on BBC Radio 1, Joy Crookes unveiled her debut album ‘Skin’; a collection of anecdotal moments beautifully presented in harmonious snippets that focus on her identity. With the record consisting of tracks she wrote from the age of 15 up until 21, Joy Crookes focuses this album on relationships, generational trauma, abuse of power and mental health.

‘Skin’ pulls apart the intertwining threads of Joy Crookes’ identity as she explores her Bangladeshi-Irish heritage as well as growing up in South London. She delivers a colourful album full to the brim with life, considering that she mentioned that the album has London within its DNA, as she recorded the album around the city.

‘Skin’ has a warmth to it alongside orchestral moments such as in the opening track ‘I Don’t Mind’, which heighten the album, but also trip-hop elements reminiscent of Massive Attack in ‘19th Floor’. Serving a rich outlook on experiences which burrows deep into personal and socio-political issues, Joy Crookes also balances speaking on England in the wake of Brexit and Black Lives Matter with intimate storytelling that is relatable and emotional. As she embodies the soulfulness of Amy Winehouse, Joy Crookes is one to watch for the rest of 2021.