UK innovator Joy Orbison and cult underground rap icon Joe James come together on new single ‘bastard’, the track sees the two kindred spirits combining their own distinct sounds to create something genuinely unique. It’s a suburban sound born outside of the M25, as the Southend rapper paints trademark vivid imagery over Joy Orbison’s deep, introspective beats. The result is part-rapturous, part elegiac. Recorded at XL Recordings’ Ladbroke Grove studio, it develops ideas Joy Orbison explored on his acclaimed 2021 still slipping vol. 1 mixtape and is accompanied by a Josh Renaut-directed visual. Watch below!
‘bastard’ comes on the back of an incredible 2024 for both artists. Joy Orbison’s ‘flight fm’ was one of the year’s indisputable club anthems, ranked in end-of-year lists across the board and leading to “Best Track” and “Best DJ” accolades at DJ Mag’s Best Of British Awards. As he headlined shows around the world, ‘flight fm’ took on a life of its own and spawned dozens, if not hundreds, of edits, culminating in the huge ‘flex fm (freddit)’ featuring Playboy Carti, Future and Lil Yachty. Meanwhile, as Joy Orbison recently gave a rare interview as a cover star of the relaunched, global DJ Mag, Joe James appeared on the cover of Crack Magazine from Southend to celebrate the release of his lauded BEAST LIVING album. Joy Orbison is finally set to tour in Australia this March, tour details and ticket info below.
Stream / download ‘bastard’ here.
Fri 7th March
Liberty Hall, Eora NSW
Sat 8th March
Pitch Music & Arts Festival, Mafeking VIC
Sun 9th March
No Tomorrow, Meanjin QLD
Tour info and tickets at untitledgroup.com.au/tours/joy-orbison
