Joshua Idehen – I know you're hurting, everyone is hurting, everyone is trying, you have got to try

New album from the dude whose "Mum Does the Washing"

Haven't heard it yet, but every excited to throw it on. Wondering if this was on anyone else's radar

From Bandcamp:

From the opening track You Wanna Dance Or What?, there are poignant stories about the possibilities of human connection – here, a memory of a stranger approaching Joshua when he was feeling low at a club in Leicester Square – set against Parment’s freeing beats. There are memories of sunrises on Hampstead Heath (It Always Was), celebrations of the liturgic power of the club (This Is The Place), affirmations that kept Idehen afloat in a particularly dark time (Brother), all dotted with his observations and notes from past conversations with people from all walks of life. On Choose Yourself, Idehen is not so interested in the hokey bath bomb self-care that has dominated discourse the past few years, but in reinforcing self-belief and self-worth – all while never getting too mawkish (see: lines like “Choose a balanced diet/Eat the rich!”). Everything Everywhere All At Once is a stunning exploration of the sliding doors moments of our lives, contemplating all the universes that exist within his daughter, followed by a choral reprise, singing a melody composed by Idehen. “I’m not confident with singing or songwriting, so when the choir sang something I had made and brought it back to me, I had proper tears.”

Saw him live at Big Love festival last year and he was really good. Not sure it's something I would want to listen to every day. But I like his vibe, it's very positive and uplifting

I like his voice; he's been on a couple of Shabaka Hutchings things - one Sons Of Kemet album and one The Comet Is Coming album, I think.

This album is fantastic, definitely far more musical and joyous than Mum Does the Washing. And very much worth repeat listens

In fact I almost feel that track is out of place on it to an extent

I love this album. Feels like a companion piece to the Real Lies album, but much less regretful of the moment passing.

I saw him supporting Helado Negro a couple of years ago* and found him an amusing and compelling performer. I bought his album on the strength of that support slot.
[*just looked it up and it was exactly two years ago to the day!]

about halfway through this and it's really wonderful. I put it on during a walk right after hitting a moment of real despair about the world, and it was the perfect choice