Smoky alto vocals floating over cinematic strings and jazz-inflected piano. A brief, intimate collection of South London soul that feels like a modern classic.
It's like a warm hug from a jazz singer who knows exactly how your heart broke.
A sophisticated, bittersweet embrace that feels like a vintage film score for modern heartbreak.
Released in early 2019, Reminiscence is the second EP from Joy Crookes and serves as a pivotal showcase for her Irish-Bengali-British identity. While her debut hinted at her potential, this project solidified her sonic signature: a blend of jazz, neo-soul, and chamber pop. The EP is notable for its use of cinematic strings, arranged to evoke the grandeur of classic Bond themes while maintaining the intimacy of a bedroom recording. The inclusion of a 'demo' version of 'Don't Let Me Down' highlights the artist's confidence in her rawest form, emphasizing her vocal prowess over high-end production. Critically, it positioned Crookes as a leading voice in the UK soul resurgence, often drawing favorable comparisons to Amy Winehouse and Celeste for her ability to make vintage sounds feel contemporary and urgent. The project is a concise but powerful exploration of heartbreak and heritage.
Put this on for
Rain streaking the window while the tea goes coldLast train home with your forehead against the glassDimming the lights to finally read that bookQuiet kitchen floor realization that it's really overSlipping on a vintage coat that smells like someone elseSunday morning recovery with the curtains still drawnWalking through a park as the mist settles in
Moments worth waiting for
The way the strings swell and then suddenly isolate her vocal on Man's World.
The raw, unpolished tape hiss and finger-plucking intimacy of the Don't Let Me Down demo.
The subtle jazz-club piano phrasing that anchors the opening of Two Nights.
Sounds like
2019s production with a timeless soul
Sits beside
Not Your Muse - Celeste, Frank - Amy Winehouse, Lost & Found - Jorja Smith, Is Your Love Big Enough? - Lianne La Havas
Lyrical territory
love_lost, self_examination, nostalgia
03Deviation
Reminiscence · vs · Joy Crookes
Artist
This Album
Low Energy
Energy · ↓ −15% less than usual
On this album, low energy sits about 15% less prominent than across the rest of the artist's catalogue.
