Joy Crookes Embraces Imperfection to Create More Authentic Music

Joy Crookes, a rising star of Irish-Bangladeshi heritage, has crafted a career marked by personal growth and overcoming challenges. Her debut album, ‘Skin’, was a success, earning a Mercury Prize nomination and propelling her to the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. Yet, the pressure to follow up her success with a second album brought its own struggles. Crookes faced an intense battle with anxiety, exacerbated by an abusive relationship, which affected her mental and physical health. Despite these challenges, her second album ‘Juniper’ reveals her journey toward self-acceptance and healing. Crookes rejected perfectionism, allowing raw, honest moments in her music. Songs like ‘Perfect Crime’ showcase this shift, with Crookes embracing imperfections that enhance the song’s authenticity. Other tracks like ‘First Last Dance’ address the anxiety that had consumed her, while ‘I Know You’d Kill’ honors the friends who supported her during her darkest times. The album is a testament to Crookes’ resilience, blending heartache with humor. While she has plans to explore acting, including a role in a film set to screen at the Venice Film Festival, for now, Crookes is focusing on her music and her future, feeling ‘very alive’ and grateful for the growth she’s experienced.