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Joy Crookes announces debut album ‘Skin’ and shares title track
Joy Crookes has announced that her much anticipated debut album, Skin, will be released on October 15th via Insanity Records.
“Skin is my debut album and the proudest work I have made to date,” said Crookes. “It is an autobiographical body of work covering subjects from casual sex to generational trauma, abuse of power and mental health.
“I was fortunate enough to make this first album with the exceptionally talented producer Blue May. I sat across the whole production process, and I’m proud to say I’ve been credited with Blue as a co-executive producer. The majority of the album was made at the incredible Konk Studios; we also had the pleasure of recording an 18-piece string section at Abbey Road Studios in the famous Studio Two, and we recorded pick-up vocals all over the place, from a random hotel room in East London, through to a home studio in Clapton. London is in the DNA of this album.
“The word ‘skin’ massively resonates with me as biologically it is one of the strongest parts of our bodies, however socially and externally it is often used against us. This juxtaposition is grappled with throughout the album; lyrically my album is effectively a collection of stories. The record consists of songs I wrote at the mere age of 15 up until 21. This is an album about my identity.”
Skin’s album artwork is shot by Carlota Guerrero, who has previously worked with Arca, Chloe x Halle, and Solange for all of her imagery for A Seat At The Table.
The record features the title track ‘Skin’, alongside lead single ‘Feet Don’t Fail Me Now’, which premiered as Annie Mac’s Hottest Record on BBC Radio 1 last month. Directed by Taz Tron Delix (Stormzy, Headie One, Berwyn), the video for ‘Feet Don’t Fail Me Now’ was shot around London, featuring Joy and a supporting cast reflective of the multicultural landscape of her hometown.
After being nominated for the BRITs Rising Star award and placing fourth on the BBC Sound Poll, Joy went on to become the most widely-tipped artist of 2020. She was due to support Harry Styles at The O2 in London pre-pandemic, and has played Glastonbury, BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend, Later… with Jools Holland, and her own sold-out shows across the UK and Europe.
Skin is available to pre-order now. Listen to the title track here.
