Lately, it feels like the world is one endless bad news cycle. Joshua Idehen isn’t here to pretend otherwise but instead brings humour, warmth and razor-sharp wit to topics that need talking about.

British-born Nigerian, Idehen began his journey through London’s poetry and jazz circuits honing his spoken word craft at open mic nights and collaborations with L.V., Sons of Kemet, and The Comet Is Coming.

In his own words, there came a time when Idehen decided he ‘didn’t just want to make sad music anymore’. He wanted to pair truthful words with uplifting beats that would serve as the ‘light at the end, something to hold onto’. In came creative partner and musician Ludvig Parment, also known as producer Saturday, Monday. Together they create music that is truly arresting – but simultaneously, thanks to Parment’s soundscapes, often makes you want to wave your arms in the air and dance. If you haven’t heard the track Mum Does The Washing you should absolutely go and listen right now.

Their debut album, I Know You’re Hurting, Everyone Is Hurting, Everyone Is Trying, You Have Got To Try finds Joshua Idehen’s pen reaching new levels. In these bleak times that try to push us all further apart, it’s a beautiful, powerful manifesto for hope and collectivism. As Joshua puts it: “There’s a likelihood that we might be planting seeds that we won’t get to see harvested…but the planting is good. The planting is just as important as the watering and the tending and the harvesting. We all have to play a part so that we can have some redemption.”

We can’t wait for what is sure to be a monumental performance from one of the most important voices in contemporary Britain.

"Soul-enriching bars on love, loss & laundry."

Overblown

"Refreshingly earnest in his pursuit of goodness - and his insistence that the rest of us chase it too."

The Guardian

"Honest and celebratory, compassionate and full of goodwill."

Louder Than War