Joy Oladokun Hope Is A Heavy Thing
Joy Oladokun has released a new record, Hope Is A Heavy Thing, on Concord Records. The singer, songwriter, producer, and performer uses her songs to look at who we are, how we relate to others, and how we grow.
Oladokun explains, “‘To understand your future, you have to confront your past.’ This is the driving theme behind ‘Hope Is A Heavy Thing.’ It’s a collection of 12 songs that I wrote to help myself find my light again after burning out.”
Produced by Oladokun with additional contributions from Nigerian producer Spellz, the album was mixed by Pedro Calloni and Neal H. Pogue, and mastered by Mike Bozzi at Grundman Mastering, except for “Raised By The Radio (An Introduction),” which was mastered by Steph Jones and Mike Elizondo.
Musicians on the album include Austin Hans Seeger (drums), Jharis Yokely (drums), Alvin Malone (keys), Rob Moose (strings), August Pontithier (vocals), and of course, Oladokun (guitars, bass, synth, horns, vocals).
Of the 12 tracks on the album, suggested entry points include “Raised By The Radio (A Reintroduction),” a wonderfully wistful song about Oladokun’s upbringing, apparently. One that reveals hints of trying to puzzle out the answers to life’s big questions. Oladokun’s voice is a supple, haunting instrument.
“her questions for god and the dj are both the same / how do you live? / how do you take it? / how do you love with no expectations?”
There’s a raw gospel-like feel to “Dear Maria,” with its bouncy rhythm and pulsing harmonic layers. There’s also a retro sensation to the melody, upbeat, with delicious vocal harmonies and an elevated outro that blends everything together.
The Latin tangs and syncopated rhythm of “Easy Company” infuse the song with both mysterious and sensual surfaces. Whereas “Kind” summons up hints of Macy Gray and Tracy Chapman: musically and melodically simple, but oh-so profound and beautifully wrought.
“there’s nothing wrong / with being human / human / enough to break / there’s nothing wrong / with being proud / strong enough to walk away.”
On “Sage (Feat. Adekunle Gold),” the rhythm and the blend of the two voices make the song a personal favorite because of its compassion. “Toothache” rides an amazingly finessed syncopated beat that supports gleaming textures and Oladokun’s contagious voice, low and supple, yet potent.
“Die Young” reveals a universal thought, a truth, that most people don’t want to admit: “i don’t wanna die young / i just wanna get high / settle down and grow up / with somebody i love/ watch the years go by / i don’t want all the power / i just want to survive / i don’t want to die young.”
Drawing on elements of pop, soul, and rock, Hope Is A Heavy Thing is one of those rare human albums that speaks to listeners’ souls.
Find more information here on her website: https://joyoladokun.com
Enjoy some of our previous coverage here: Show Review: Joy Oladokun Fills The Ram’s Head with Purpose-Driven Music