The Joy (The Joy album)

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.[1]

The Joy
Studio album by
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

Background

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The Joy was formed by five members of a school choir in the township of Hammarsdale.[2] They released an EP called Hammarsdale in August 2023.[3] In Spring 2024 they performed with Doja Cat at Coachella.[4]

The Joy is their debut album, and was recorded live at the Church Studios in London.[2]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Mojo     [5]
Musikexpress      [6]
Rolling Stone Germany     [7]
Songlines     [2]

Mark Sampson of Songlines called The Joy an "exceptional album...the soul of simplicity."[2] 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."[5]

André Boße of Musikexpress described primary lead vocalist Melokuhle Mkhungo's voice as "direct and forceful,"[6] and David Hutcheon called it "one of the finds of the year."[5]

Track listing

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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

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The Joy

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

References

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  1. ^ "The Joy artist page", transgressiverecords.com, Transgressive Records, retrieved 2024-07-14
  2. ^ a b c d 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. ^ a b c David Hutcheon (August 2024), "The Joy (review)", Mojo, no. 369, p. 89
  6. ^ a b 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