Video / Private Joy teases debut EP with Pure Love ft Meduulla
“Desire has been the drive and beginning of so many decisions, highs and lows in life…” – Private Joy
In the past few years producer and vocalist Pops Roberts has become one of the most well known faces and voices in Manchester, thanks to her fronting the band Lovescene or constantly hitting the city’s live circuit as part of the talented Manc musical family.
Her next phase is something special. Going under the alias Private Joy (unashamedly derived from Prince’s catalogue), the EP Desire taps the vein of a direct lineage to Manchester’s street soul history coupled with an ear on 90s baby-making production and beyond.
Pure Love is the second single ahead of the EP’s release in August and features rising star Meduulla, one of four collabs this stunning vocalist has out in July.
PRE-ORER 140g VINYL AND DOWNLOAD DIGITAL on Rhythm Section International.
Some words from the promo to sum up the record:
Musical hugs galore, the production balances synths, harps, saxophones, tight beats and meaningful lyrical content; eschewing millennial whoops for Sade indebted dulcet tones.
Each track draws from personal experience; be it heartbreak or reconnection, an emotional diary conveying the trials and tribulations of love, loss and ultimately, desire.
Opening with ‘Eyes on You’, reeling you in slowly with a Joe Sample style intro, Pops’ undoubtedly sultry voice hits the hairs on the back of your neck, underpinned by 5 stringed bass guitar which features across the EP, giving every track deep harmonic roots. ‘Love Find A Way’ conjures the best of Osunlade’s discography, combining harp from Ada Francis, percussive loops, smooth strings, finishing the A side on soulful house tip.
The B side kicks off with ‘Playful’, a downbeat soul jam with an “swaying afrobeats influence”, to reflect Private Joy’s intention: “ An ode to appreciating the enjoyment of a friendship that is drenched in attraction that needs to be respected and taken slowly”. “Pure Love” jumps straight in with that elusive streetsoul vibe, when you hear it, you just know the volume needs to increase. Fellow Mancunian Meduulla jumps on the mic for the final verse, ironing in the tribute to the late 90s ‘upfront’ underground RnB sound made timeless by artists such as Zhané, Mary J Blige and Brandy. Closing the EP is title track ‘Desire!’, a modern ballad featuring Ophelia Buxton backing the layered vocals with trumpet licks. Jazzy rhodes and synth pad swells fill the void behind the natural yet electronic drums, a tapestry of passion led by Anita Baker chic vocals.
Video credits
Directed by Tami Doncic @tamipies
Cinematography by Jamie Haigherty @jamiehaigherty
Camera Assistant Josh Haigherty
Edited by Chris Kenward @chriskenward_film
Colour Grade by Michael Pearce @mpearcecolour at No.8 London @no8ldn
Production by The Outsiders
