Joy Crookes - Skin
Critic Score
Based on 6 reviews
2021 Ratings: #31 / 753
User Score
Based on 432 ratings
2021 Rank: #192
Liked by 58 people
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CRITIC REVIEWS

100
DIY
It does everything a debut should, dipping into multiple pools but uniting them all with a consistent outlook and a clear voice. Joy Crookes, by rights, should be riding β€˜Skin’ into the big leagues.
90
Clash
Across β€˜Skin’, the 13 smooth jams showcase Joy Crookes not only as a vocalist or candid writer but as the new face of British soul. While many artists chase nostalgia, Crookes offers a different way forward by disregarding the traditional boundaries of classicism.
80
NME
She allows herself to revel in her own possibility of healing, singing directly about her past and who she wants to become, letting her formidable voice guide the way: cool, curious, full of momentum.
80
The Guardian

The Bangladeshi-Irish south Londoner’s urgent debut album laces trauma and social commentary with bouncing melody and retro stylings.

80
Mojo

Recorded in Abbey Road with co-producer Blue May, Skin takes in soul, jazz and trip-hop, and more than fulfils her early promise.

80
Gigwise

Skin is a triumph for Joy Crookes, who pulls from a wide variety of influences and stories to bring an album that indicates a lot of potential.

Milosummers
79

Joy Crookes has a captivating voice, rich with emotion. She definitely shows the influence of those London soul artists that came before her, particularly Amy Winehouse, I even think there was a lyrical reference to her in ‘Unlearn You’ when she sings “I’m back in black again”. Speaking of lyrics, the lyrical theme of skin reappears throughout album, a nice idea to tie the whole project together. The string arrangements were nice at first but I think they became a ... read more

marvelgaryen
82

'Skin' it's the most classical soul/r&b album that an UK artist could make at the moment. The comparisons with Amy Winehouse will be quoted obviously, but there's many more women in Soul music that could be credited here as well. Joy Crookes feels like the type of singer that is missed in the spotify charts and radio nowadays, her cadence is solid and so it's the vocal delivery in every track, the record has a nice pace just cause she knows how to manage the words, with the right amount of ... read more

alexareviews
74

"Skin" is the debut studio LP from Joy Crookes, and honestly for a debut album, I'm quite impressed with it. Her vocal strength is showcased here very well, with the production being more laid back her voice shines on all of the tracks. When it comes to songs on their own, I think most of them were quite good, there are some that I found to be a bit meh, but there are also some amazing songs. When I think of the songs in the context of cohesiveness it is a mixed bag, due to me not ... read more

veeru_m
90

The production is consistent throughout, and while I don't dislike any of the songs, some of them are in subgenres that are not my style. This album isn't perfect, but it gives a taste of an artist that 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴 capable of creating many potentially perfect albums. And that's all you can ask for from a debut project.

84

Great debut. Groovy, soulful, cheeky tunes that serve to introduce an artist with a lot of personality and a lot to say. Those horns on "When You Were Mine" will always get me I love it.

MrGust
NR

RnB Perfection, the vibe is right, her voice is really unique really good project

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Track List

1I Don't Mind
2:54
76
219th Floor
3:09
86
3Poison
3:31
76
4Trouble
3:04
78
5When You Were Mine
3:23
86
6To Lose Someone
4:10
78
7Unlearn You
2:42
78
8Kingdom
3:08
78
9Feet Don't Fail Me Now
3:18
87
10Wild Jasmine
3:35
75
11Skin
2:58
79
12Power
4:42
81
13Theek Ache
2:10
81
Total Length: 42 minutes
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Added on: August 6, 2021