Album Review: Joy Crookes, Juniper

Joy Crookes’ roots run deep. She was born to an Irish father and a Bangladeshi mother, and raised on a steady supply of musical talent. She has spoken about the music her parents played for her on the way to her Irish dance lessons: from Sinéad O’Connor to Kendrick Lamar, The Pogues to Gregory Isaacs. Crookes has always refused to be placed in a box.

Her long-awaited second album Juniper is the pinnacle of such beautiful defiance. It’s emotionally candid and undeniably fearless, rich with sonic soul and lyrical poignancy. Crookes has described writing the album in the face of turmoil, both internal and external. The result is simultaneously the eye of the storm, and every boom of thunder and strike of lightning surrounding it. She tackles tough themes head-on: industry struggles, crippling anxiety, personal identity, queer love and more.

The record’s sonic identity swings from poppier, danceable tracks like the impeccably catchy ‘First Last Dance’ to such stripped-back, reflective pieces as the heart-wrenchingly raw ‘Forever’. Across the board, Crookes’ vocal talent and range wow, particularly on experimental opener ‘Brave’, where her sound recalls Amy Winehouse crossed with Roberta Flack and Sade.

Perhaps the most memorable track is closer ‘Paris’, where Crookes reflects on a formative past relationship, in all its poetic beauty and crushing devastation. It’s deeply authentic, as her soaring voice brings life to profoundly impactful lyrics.

No matter what storms Crookes may weather, she shall prevail with beauty, grace and truth.

9/10