The Joy (Turquoise Vinyl)

The Joy, a five-piece acapella group from South Africa, release their self titled debut album, which was recorded and captured on film in one take at Paul Epworth’s Church Studios in late 2023.

In Hammarsdale, South Africa, where the Zulu tradition of a cappella singing is central to the cultural identity of its people, you’ll have to transcend the sum of your constituent parts to truly command attention. But singing together as teenage boys for the first time, Pastor (Ntokozo Bright Magcaba), Duzie (Melokuhle Mkhungo), Guduza (Sphelele Hlophe), Sthombe (Phelelani Sithole) and Marcus (Sanele Ngcobo) have no reason to pause and consider that.

Alicia Keys and Jennifer Hudson pronounce themselves fans, the latter calling them “my favourite group” and inviting them onto her US talk show.

The Joy sing about the big stuff - the power of dreams, religious faith - but actually when they address the harrowing specifics of day to day life, sometimes these are the moments that assume even greater emotional magnitude.