Joy Oladokun shows us that there’s hope, truth, and lessons in the journey it takes to be human in their highly anticipated newest project Proof of Life. Track after track we are taken through metaphorical and allegorical nods to the end of the world, relationships, and growing older; but the insistent melodies continue to keep us afloat and show us the proof of life.
For those of you who may be hearing of Oladokun for the first time: where have you been? Joy truly lives up to her name through their soulful and carefully crafted orchestration of sonics. I would classify Joy as a fusion artist as they flow like water through various genres, rooted in acoustics and folk. Proof of Life will be her fourth studio album and although I have been partial to their 2020/2021 release, in defense of my own happiness, this new release was bold and tenacious. With features from Manchester Orchestra, Mt. Joy, Chris Stapelton, Maxo Kream and Noah Kahan, this magical project tells a story from beginning to end.
I like to think of this album in two parts. Let’s begin with the first part, reflection. Tracks 1-6 on Proof of Life, invite us to reflect on our own truths of the human condition alongside Joy. “Keeping the Light On” gives an uptempo look on growing up, being a musician, and a human. What does it truly mean to keep the lights on, metaphorically and physically? Joy explores that with pop sonics and repetition alluding to the true way to move through dark times. We then move through jazzy progression and warm tones that guide us through hard truths of the troubles of this world with Joy’s gentle voice in “Changes,” which whirlwinds us into a classical futuristic yet rocking ostinato in “Taking Things for Granted,” that reminds us of the power of gratitude, even if the kids at school never accept your invitation to that party. “Somebody Like Me” truly brings us to the heart of why I like to the album’s reflective nature. Joy knows all too well that getting up to do the hard things, honoring boundaries or asking for help (through a lighted candle or prayer) from those around you isn’t easy, but invites us to try either way. This power of community then breathes life into “Friends” about the importance of forgiveness, with special guest Mt. Joy. Manchester Orchestra comes in with a head bopping beat as Joy reminds us of taking accountability to mend bonds in “You At the Table.” The path to reflection leads us to gentle reminders of all that we are.
The next part of the album ruminates on redemption. How do you reflect on the past and let it inform the future? I find tracks 7-13 to be the most vulnerable and personally my favorite part of this album. Chris Stapleton, a bluesy melody, and Joy’s rasp walk us through dungeons and ivory towers to talk about a love truly worth working through in “Sweet Symphony.” A soft rock melody awakes us to the courage it takes to keep pushing towards what you want as an artist and human in “Trying”, and welcomes us to some touching parts of her life. But the modulated break ¾ of the way through the track is truly heart-wrenching. “Pride” brings the album to a sensitive pause with a somber piano and lyricism as a love letter to their community. In the air of advocacy, we are woken to a soft pop beat with scatting Joy to share a tale of “Revolution” with help from Maxo Kream’s cadence to usher in a call to action. Through the help of an upbeat country melody, higher power and “good weed,” Joy “finds the spark” in “The Hard Way,” which gets to the heart of redemptive power. A suite of violins welcome us into “We’re All Gonna Die,” as Joy and Noah Kahan bluntly, but beautifully sing a hard truth about existence. The last soulful song “Somehow” connects us back to our bodies and the inevitability of the flow of life bringing a blissful close to the journey that is Proof of Life.
Joy’s album, Proof of Life, is out now on all platforms!