Joy Crookes returns with her new single, 'Painkiller’ - featuring acclaimed rapper Denzel Curry - and fresh off the back of ‘Feet Don’t Fail Me Now Part 2' featuring Ravyn Lenae.
Originally born from a voice note, ‘Painkiller’ is an intimate exploration of a destructive relationship – the type that can often blossom in the liminal. Produced by Dweller and Crookes, the track plays homage to 90’s hip-hop, taking us on a journey led by Joy’s lyrical precision, rich vocals and a sweeping string arrangement. The result is a song that is both hard and vulnerable all at once.
Speaking about the track Joy says: “I wrote Painkiller years ago after the end of a destructive relationship. It’s a conversational tune where I go through the motions of why I dated such a gobshite. alas, at least I got a nice tune out of it.”
Listen to ‘Painkiller’ on North London Forever.
The accompanying video, directed by Ethan and Tom, was filmed over two days in Chicago while Joy was on the road supporting Lewis Capaldi’s US tour. Blending striking cinematic storytelling, the film was largely cast through street casting, including Joy’s on-screen love interest, giving the visuals an authentic, lived-in feel and capturing an undeniable chemistry.
Denzel Curry brings his signature energy and lyrical precision to the track, adding a dynamic new dimension to Joy’s soulful vocal. Hailing from Carol City, Miami, the rapper has established himself as one of hip-hop’s most innovative and versatile artists, known for his boundary pushing approach and collaborations.
Joy Crookes is one of the UK’s most distinctive and compelling voices, blending soul, jazz and R&B. Raised in South London, her songwriting explores identity, relationships, politics and belonging with a rare emotional depth. Since the release of her acclaimed Mercury Prize-nominated debut Skin, Crookes has established herself as one of British music’s most important contemporary artists, earning BRIT Award nominations and praise for her fearless lyricism and genre-defying sound.
The album’s lead single ‘Feet Don’t Fail Me Now’ has continued to grow globally, with a new remix featuring Ravyn Lenae released at the end of last month, bringing the track to a new international audience. Joy has also gained 200K followers across her social platforms in the past month, with her content regularly going viral, including her standout performance on On The Radar.
