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In Defense of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings)

In Defense of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings) (stylized in all lowercase and originally titled In Defense of My Own Happiness (Vol. 1)) is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Joy Oladokun. The ten-track album was released on July 17, 2020 through White Boy Records and re-released by Amigo Records and Verve Forecast Records under its current title on March 30, 2021.[3] It was promoted by eight singles. A sequel to the album, titled simply In Defense of My Own Happiness was released on June 4, 2021 and included "Sunday" and "Breathe Again" from volume one. A "complete edition" was released on July 9, 2021 collecting both volumes.

In Defense of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings)
Studio album by
Joy Oladokun
ReleasedJuly 17, 2020 (2020-07-17)
Genre
Length32:24
Label
Producer
Joy Oladokun chronology
Carry
(2016) 		In Defense of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings)
(2020) 		In Defense of My Own Happiness
(2021)
Singles from In Defense of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings)
  1. "Sunday"
    Released: June 19, 2019
  2. "Too High"
    Released: April 14, 2020
  3. "Unwelcoming"
    Released: April 28, 2020
  4. "Bad Blood"
    Released: May 13, 2020
  5. "Breathe Again"
    Released: May 27, 2020
  6. "Who Do I Turn To?"
    Released: June 5, 2020
  7. "Mercy"
    Released: June 19, 2020

Critical reception

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Susan Hansen, writing for The Line of Best Fit, gave the album a score of eight out of ten, saying "Showing the way into new genre-blending territory, Joy Oladokun’s fertile, present day mix of pop, R&B and folk constitutes irresistibility and pertinence." and compared her "guitar lines, vocals and contemplative lyrics" to Tracy Chapman.[1]

Track listing

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In Defense of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings) track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Smoke"
Jeremy Lutito2:51
2."Sunday"OladokunRobopop3:14
3."Bad Blood"Oladokun 3:08
4."Unwelcoming"
  • Oladokun
  • Kevin Fisher
Oladokun2:20
5."Lost"OladokunOladokun3:25
6."Who Do I Turn To?"
Oladokun3:10
7."Mercy" (featuring Tim Gent)
  • Oladokun
  • Ben Didelot
  • Timothy Gentry
Oladokun3:37
8."Breathe Again"
  • Oladokun
  • James Droll
  • Peter Groenwald
Peter Groenwald3:49
9."Too High"OladokunOladokun3:16
10."Younger Days"Oladokun
  • "Spider" Ron Entwistsle
  • Jon Castelli
3:34
Total length:32:24
In Defense of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings) (with commentary) track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Smoke" (commentary)  1:38
2."Smoke"
  • Joy Oladokun
  • Kennedy
  • Lutito
  • Koizol
Lutito2:51
3."Sunday" (commentary)  1:05
4."Sunday"OladokunRobopop3:14
5."Bad Blood" (commentary)  0:56
6."Bad Blood"Oladokun 3:08
7."Unwelcoming" (commentary)  1:16
8."Unwelcoming"
  • Oladokun
  • Fisher
Oladokun2:20
9."Lost" (commentary)  1:21
10."Lost"OladokunOladokun3:25
11."Who Do I Turn To?" (commentary)  1:42
12."Who Do I Turn To?"
  • Oladokun
  • Hemby
Oladokun3:10
13."Mercy" (commentary)  1:25
14."Mercy" (featuring Tim Gent)
  • Oladokun
  • Didelot
  • Gentry
Oladokun3:37
15."Breathe Again" (commentary)  1:15
16."Breathe Again"
  • Oladokun
  • Droll
  • Groenwald
Peter Groenwald3:49
17."Too High" (commentary)  1:25
18."Too High"OladokunOladokun3:16
19."Younger Days" (commentary)  1:41
20."Younger Days"Oladokun
  • Entwistsle
  • Castelli
3:34
Total length:46:11
Notes
  • All song titles stylized in all lowercase.

Release history

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Release dates and formats for In Defense of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings)
Region Date Format Label
Various July 17, 2020
White Boy
March 30, 2021

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Hansen, Susan (August 7, 2020). "Joy Oladokun's eclectic pop reflections brim with judgement and aspiration". Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Commander, Loundes (July 16, 2020). "ON HAPPINESS AND HUMANNESS: A CONVERSATION WITH JOY OLADOKUN". Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  3. ^ "in defense of my own happiness (the beginnings) by Joy Oladokun on Tidal". Tidal. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
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