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The Joy (The Joy album)

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2024 studio album by The Joy
The Joy
Studio album by The Joy
Released21 June 2024
StudioThe Church Studios
Length30:24
LabelTransgressive Records
The Joy chronology
Hammarsdale
(2023) 		The Joy
(2024)
Singles from The Joy
  1. "You Complete Me"
    Released: 27 March 2024
  2. "Amaqatha Amancane"
    Released: 22 April 2024
  3. "Bayang'khethela"
    Released: 23 May 2024

The Joy is the eponymous debut album by South African a cappella group The Joy. It was released on 21 June 2024 on Transgressive Records.

Background

The Joy was formed by five members of a school choir in the township of Hammarsdale. They released an EP called Hammarsdale in August 2023. In Spring 2024 they performed with Doja Cat at Coachella.

The Joy is their debut album, and was recorded live at the Church Studios in London.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Mojo
Musikexpress
Rolling Stone Germany
Songlines

Mark Sampson of Songlines called The Joy an "exceptional album...the soul of simplicity." In a review for Mojo, David Hutcheon wrote that "Ladysmith Black Mambazo will get a lot of comparative name-checks, but The Joy's sound is their own."

André Boße of Musikexpress described primary lead vocalist Melokuhle Mkhungo's voice as "direct and forceful," and David Hutcheon called it "one of the finds of the year."

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Uhlenge"2:37
2."Amaqatha Amancane"1:37
3."Mama ka Nomthandazo"1:47
4."Bayang'khethela"3:00
5."Mama uleli Kanjani"2:03
6."Ngiphuphe Ngilele"1:53
7."Mashaya kancane"4:02
8."uBaba Uthwelekanzima"2:12
9."You Complete Me"2:26
10."Amandla ka Moya"3:45
11."Jesu"4:56
Total length:30:24

Personnel

The Joy

  • Ntokozo Bright Magcaba ("Pastor")
  • Melokuhle Mkhungo ("Duzie")
  • Sphelele Hlophe ("Guduza")
  • Phelelani Sithole ("Sthombe")
  • Sanele Ngcobo ("Marcus")

References

  1. "The Joy artist page", transgressiverecords.com, Transgressive Records, retrieved 2024-07-14
  2. ^ Mark Sampson (July 2024), "The Joy (review)", songlines.co.uk, Songlines, p. 44, retrieved 2024-07-13
  3. Robin Murray (2023-04-13), "South Africa's The Joy Detail New EP 'Hammarsale'", clashmusic.com, Clash, retrieved 2024-07-13
  4. Joy Mphande (2024-04-15), "South African vocal group The Joy perform with Doja Cat at Coachella", timeslive.co.za, TimesLIVE, retrieved 2024-07-13
  5. ^ David Hutcheon (August 2024), "The Joy (review)", Mojo, no. 369, p. 89
  6. ^ André Boße (July 2024), "The Joy (review)", Musikexpress, p. 80
  7. Marc Vetter (August 2024), "The Joy (review)", Rolling Stone Germany (in German), no. 358, Axel Springer, p. 73
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