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 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 21 June 2024 | |||
| Studio | The Church Studios | |||
| Length | 30:24 | |||
| Label | Transgressive Records | |||
| The Joy chronology | ||||
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| Singles from The Joy | ||||
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Background
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
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Mojo |   [5] |
| Musikexpress | [6] |
| 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
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 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")