The Joy

The Joy, a five-piece acapella group from South Africa is releasing their self-titled debut album which was recorded and captured on film in one take at Paul Epworth’s Church Studios in late 2023.

The Joy sing about the big stuff – the power of dreams, religious faith – but actually when they address the harrowing specifics of day to day life, these are the moments that assume even greater emotional magnitude.

In the right hands, these songs can open the gates of heaven, so perhaps it’s not so surprising that, for The Joy, they open up the gates to places they’d never imagined they’d see with their own eyes. Having met and formed at high school, they quickly amassed a large TikTok following thanks to their stunning performance posts. Alicia Keys and Jennifer Hudson pronounce themselves fans, the latter calling them “my favourite group” and inviting them onto her US talk show.

Produced by longtime champion Two Inch Punch The Joy sounds like nothing else competing for your attention in the modern musical firmament. And, displaying the brotherhood that they say bonded them together from their very first session, they insist that the music speaks to them all with one voice, telling them what to do before they themselves are even aware of it.

Released: June 2024
Cat: TRANS795X
Label: Transgressive

Listen

Tracklist

1. Uhlenge
2. Amaqatha Amancane
3. Mama ka Nomthandazo
4. Bayang'khethela
5. Mama uleli Kanjani
6. Ngiphuphe Ngilele
7. Mashaya kancane
8. uBaba Uthwelekanzima
9. You Complete Me
10. Amandla ka Moya
11. Jesu