
It’s been three years since we last heard from the talented Joy Crookes. The British singer-songwriter had a breakthrough with her 2021 project Skin, which featured the breakout single “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now.” For many of us in the States, it was our first impression of the songbird and it was quite the impressive one. Now, Joy is readying her next project for the masses, and she’s introducing it with her defiant new single “Pass The Salt” with hip-hop heavyweight Vince Staples.
“Pass The Salt” is a dish especially served up for anyone that might be shooting Joy any unwarranted side-eyes or sly comments. Rather than chastise them, she encourages them to stew in their bitterness, wryly singing, “I shine and you get sunburn / That sounds like a you problem.”
Over dark, buzzy, rock-inspired production from producer Blue May, she chides her detractors as she sings, “Call it what you want, what you want, ah / You can pass the salt, pass the salt, da-da-da / I got thick skin on these bones, ah / When a b***h don't rise to rumor / Get the words stuck in your throat, throat, throat, throat, throat, throat, throat.”
Vince, meanwhile, is as pithy as ever on his short-yet-relevant verse. “Why so salty? Pot and the kettle both black as coffee / Swing low, sweet chariot, if thesе hoes ungodly,” he pops off before later making clever references to being a black sheep and late comedian Chris Farley in just over 20 seconds.
With that kind of vibe, it’s no surprise that the song’s video — while showing off Joy in elegant fashions and artistic set pieces — is awash in darker colors and tones. The energy for the song is quite confrontational, and it turns out that was intentional, as she told Clash, “The song is basically me squaring up (musically) and being like, ‘ok b***h if u have something to say come say it to my face.’”
It sounds like Joy Crookes isn’t coming to play in 2025. Tap in with her when you listen to “Pass The Salt” and watch its darkly glamorous visual below.