– blkcory
Pass the Aux, a series dedicated to amplifying new and upcoming musicians. We will get you up-to-date in discovering new music monthly to the point where your friends will ask you to “pass the aux!” The first Thursday of every month consists of members of the dayfour team choosing musicians to highlight. We will give you our thoughts, our feelings and our theories on those musicians (strictly from a consumer standpoint).
*Have you got new music you want people to hear? Or perhaps you know someone that you think makes great music and just hasn’t had their big break? Make sure to follow us on IG and email links/information on new music to: hellodayfour@gmail.com. We’ll be reviewing all submissions and deciding to focus on someone new each month.
dayfour pick : Joyia
Let me give some context to this one. I had the privilege of seeing Joyia perform when my boy that I met in Japan (shoutout to Baha) took me to a pop-up music event in Kensington Market (Toronto, ON). The show was set up in the back patio area of this bar and it was the perfect spot for a small intimate live show. Joyia was the first of three artists to perform and right away she set the tone because it felt like everyone there was in awe of her talent. In front of maybe 40 people, Joyia captivated everyone’s attention. Her voice and her stage presence really made it such a memorable show. You almost felt like you knew her better as a person by the end of her set and that’s a rare skill to have as an artist. With it being the first live show I’ve seen in well over a year, I wanted to take the time to highlight this Toronto talent.
Water:
This is her latest single and whoever mixed this thing killed it. Her vocals come through as if she’s singing right in front of you.
When all the instrumentation comes in at the end (the drums, the guitar, the bass), it was the perfect way to add some an extra groove to the song before bringing it to a close. It was like getting ready for a grand finale.
Anyways, go stream her new single people! Check the video out too, she’s great and the video is great. I’m not familiar with the director Jimmy Vi but he’s great too because the video is great. I hope this song gets the recognition it deserves.
Ritual:
Fam are we listening to the same young woman’s voice or not?! From the jump I was just sitting there like “is this girl serious with this track?!” This is hard, she straight up bodied* this fam. If you’ve ever loved somebody/liked somebody/ever had a situationship, then this song will remind you of all the great moments from those times. Joyia compares her love for her partner as a ritual; something that grows, consistent and is a part of her everyday… a ritualistic love.
Superficial:
I wanted to highlight this song in her catalogue because it’s a more upbeat record and shows that can she can extend her sound outside what’s showcased in previous two records I mentioned. Everything from the song lyrics to the guitar solo towards the end just makes you feel good inside for the entire listening experience. Joyia almost whispers throughout the track about a superficial lover that makes her buttery smooth voice perfect for the lyrics she coos.
Overall, I’m really happy I got to see her live because her music catalogue is the gift that keeps on giving. There’s so many layers to all of her songs, her and her team definitely know how to structure her music in a way that always keeps your attention. This past summer, Joyia’s been doing free shows on Wednesday nights on a boat (sadly the series that ended yesterday) that I hope returns again next year. If you’re ever in Toronto, make sure to check and see where she’s performing. It’s worth every penny.
Make sure to run up her streams on whatever digitals streaming platform you use and follow her @joyiasound .
Glossary:
Bodied – to figuratively kill something or someone by excelling at whatever the task is
dayfour.ca 