The Journey of Pleasure crookes: Exploring Juniper
In a crowded pop music scene, new artists often find themselves pressured to consistently produce what is commonly termed as “product.” South London’s own Pleasure Crookes has skillfully navigated her artistic path through a captivating blend of highs and lows. After releasing multiple EPs,she ended 2019 as one of the most exciting emerging talents in the industry. Her standout performances on Later… With Jools Holland, a nomination for the Brit Awards’ Rising Star accolade, and extraordinary rankings in BBC’s Sound of 2020 poll all highlighted her potential. She was even slated to join Harry Styles on tour; however, that possibility was abruptly halted by the pandemic. It wasn’t until late 2021 that she made significant waves in mainstream music with her debut album Skin, which soared into the Top 5 and spawned viral hits like Feet Don’t Fail Me Now. Despite not breaking into the top 30, this album garnered substantial recognition. Following this success, she began crafting a follow-up but then seemingly vanished from public view for four years—a time marked by personal battles with health issues and mental well-being.
Insights from Juniper’s Lyrics
This challenging chapter undoubtedly shapes the themes present in her latest work, Juniper. The opening track “Daring” conveys feelings of fatigue and mental strain—“I’m so ill, I’m so tired,” while “Mathematics,” which appears to discuss heartbreak at first glance, delves deeper into emotional struggles beyond mere romantic woes. While some critics may argue that this introspective style sacrifices more engaging political commentary found in Skin—such as discussions around Brexit or gentrification—Crookes remains an insightful lyricist who captures streetwise authenticity amid personal turmoil.
Moreover, she adeptly sidesteps clichéd self-help tropes when addressing intricate topics like co-dependency or intergenerational trauma. Songs such as “Living With a Pool,” which confronts abusive relationships alongside “Carmen,” critique beauty standards without resorting to sentimentality or easy fixes; they create compelling listening experiences instead. Notably,“Carmen” concludes with unresolved tension rather than tidy resolutions about self-love or acceptance; it leaves listeners contemplating why some must strive harder for less than others receive effortlessly.
A Fresh Outlook on Familiar Sounds
The musicality throughout Juniper offers an innovative spin on familiar genres featuring catchy hooks paired with robust melodies—so much so that “Carmen” incorporates recognizable elements from Elton John’s classic “Bennie and the Jets” while maintaining its distinct identity. Broadly situated within post-Amy Winehouse retro-soul territory—the album showcases electric pianos enriched by lush strings reminiscent of Philadelphia soul along with warm basslines—all enhanced by subtle vocal distortions ranging from smoky power to conversational rap-inflected rhythms.
An Unforgettable Sonic Experience Awaits You
While certain tracks might initially appear conventional due to their upbeat nature—for example “First Last Dance”—the overall atmosphere remains enchantingly unique thanks largely to its dreamy production style filled with synths echoing dub reggae vibes creating an ethereal ambiance perfect for late-night listening sessions.
The prominent bassline featured heavily in tracks like Perfect Crime and Pass The Salt , driven by samples from Serge gainsbourg’s iconic single requiem pour un Con alongside explosive guest verses such as Vince Staples’ contribution showcase how deeply rooted these sounds are within hip-hop culture while still maintaining originality.
crooke’s eclectic range draws inspiration across genres—from unlit Uhuru through Pogues right up until Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan—a rarity among contemporary singer-songwriters today!
Cameos That Enhance Rather Than Overwhelm
The collaborations featured here—including contributions from Kano on Mathematics & Sam Fender lending his vocals onto Somebody To You . Despite these big names appearing throughout—it never overshadows nor detracts away from showcasing just how talented Crookes is both vocally & lyrically! Recently voicing concerns over whether audiences would remember her after such long hiatus between albums (“Is anyone going recall me?”)—it becomes clear why—but ultimately junipers proves worth every moment spent waiting!
This Week Alexis Listened To:
Imprint William Lewis – Petals
Poppily melodic yet intriguingly off-kilter driven primarily via clever guitar riffs making it feel slightly eerie at times; Petals serves perfectly well advertising advanced pleasures found within London Singer-songwriter’s eponymous addictive album!