Joy Crookes returns with music video for new single “Painkiller” featuring Denzel Curry
Joy Crookes - Painkiller (Official Video) ft. Denzel Curry
Stream / Download “Painkiller” Here
Joy Crookes today returns with her new single 'Painkiller’ featuring acclaimed rapper Denzel Curry. Listen HERE.
Fresh off the back of the release of ‘Feet Don’t Fail Me Now Part 2’ featuring Ravyn Lenae, Joy continues to release an exciting run of music. Originally born from a voice note, ‘Painkiller’ is an intimate exploration of a destructive relationship - the type that can often blossom in the liminal.
Produced by Dweller and Crookes, the track plays homage to 90’s hip-hop, taking us on a journey led by Joy’s lyrical precision, rich vocals and a sweeping string arrangement. The result is a song that is both hard and vulnerable all at once.
Speaking about the track Joy says: 'I wrote Painkiller years ago after the end of a destructive relationship. It's a conversational tune where I go through the motions of why I dated such a gobshite. alas, at least I got a nice tune out of it.'
The accompanying video, directed by Ethan and Tom, was filmed over two days in Chicago while Joy was on the road supporting Lewis Capaldi’s US tour. Blending striking cinematic storytelling, the film was largely cast through street casting, including Joy’s on-screen love interest, giving the visuals an authentic, lived-in feel and capturing an undeniable chemistry.
Denzel Curry brings his signature energy and lyrical precision to the track, adding a dynamic new dimension to Joy’s soulful vocal. Hailing from Carol City, Miami, the rapper has established himself as one of hip-hop’s most innovative and versatile artists, known for his boundary pushing approach and collaborations.
Joy Crookes is one of the UK’s most distinctive and compelling voices, blending soul, jazz and R&B. Raised in South London, her songwriting explores identity, relationships, politics and belonging with a rare emotional depth. Since the release of her acclaimed Mercury Prize-nominated debut Skin, Crookes has established herself as one of British music’s most important contemporary artists, earning BRIT Award nominations and praise for her fearless lyricism and genre-defying sound. The album’s lead single ‘Feet Don’t Fail Me Now’ has continued to grow globally, with a new remix featuring Ravyn Lenae released at the end of last month, bringing the track to a new international audience. Joy has also gained 200K followers across her social platforms in the past month, with her content regularly going viral, including her standout performance on On The Radar.
Her highly anticipated second album, Juniper, released in 2025, showcased Joy at her most emotionally fearless, pairing deeply personal songwriting with lush, soul-inflected production and collaborations with Vince Staples and Kano. The album was met with widespread critical acclaim and was followed by a landmark summer that included a standout performance on Glastonbury's Other Stage, drawing one of the festival's biggest daytime crowds and earning praise from Vogue, The Guardian, The Times, Dazed, The Independent, BBC and ELLE.
It’s been a busy summer for Joy, with a packed run of festival appearances and international touring. She has performed at some of the world’s biggest festivals, including Cross The Tracks, Bergenfest, Les Eurockéennes, Down The Rabbit Hole, Rock Werchter, We Out Here, Boardmasters and Montreux Jazz Festival, alongside a US tour supporting Lewis Capaldi. Joy also featured on Bonobo’s single ‘Always On Your Side’ last month, further showcasing her versatility and growing track record of high-profile collaborations.
Now, with the release of her new single ‘Painkiller’, Joy enters an exciting new chapter, building on a remarkable run of music, collaborations and live performances as she continues to push her artistry forward and reach new heights.
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Girlfriend: Joy Crookes
Boyfriend: Matt Whipps
Artist: Joy Crookes
Director: Ethan & Tom
Producer/EP: Danny Herman
Production Company: Partizan
Managing Director: Jenny Beckett
Head of Production: Ella More O’Ferrall
Director’s Rep: Mouthpiece Rep
Record Label: Record Label RCA Records/Insanity/Speakerbox
Head of Marketing: Will Stevens
Digital Marketing: Natika Edward
Social Media: Paola Levitch
Director of Visual Content: Kat Cattaneo
Management: Charlie Owen
Tour Manager: Meera Higinson
Stylist: Rae Hayden
Editor: Liv Ay
Edit Assist: Finton Hannan
Edit Producer: Claudia Celeste
Edit House: Trim
Colourist: Connor Coolbear
Colour Producer: George Blomiley
Colour House: ETC
VFX: Mishaal Memon
Logo & Credit Design: Moya Garrison Msingwana
Chicago Unit:
Producer: Bryan Casallo
Producer: Chris Totzke
Producer: Bryan Wright
Prod Coordinator: Louie Morco
1st AD: Cat Balbini
Wardrobe Assist: Iza Morco
Director of Photography: Ryan Zeller
1st AC: David Hugh Jr
Gaffer: Tommy Garrett
HMU Stylist: Esther Han
LA Unit:
EP: Pegah Farahmand
Producer: Henrii Coleman
Director of Photography: Ryan Zeller
DIT: Jeff Bloom
Tape Transfer: Buddy Nichols
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Bad girl that’s not me
I just wanted rocky to my Rih
Karaoke hearts
Singing scripted bars
They say ignorant is bliss and we are
Tongue stained cherry b
You say how you love it
When i’m happy
So why you pull me down
Does that turn you loud
Every night i kiss the lies off your mouth
Marvin on your lips
That painkiller smile
Every time you kick
Forgive you like a child
Fake Bottega tears
Falling in a flood
Don’t know what this is
But we’re not in love
Not in love
Not in love
Not in love
Oh
Don’t know what this is but we’re not in love
Take your hand off my hip
The only trick u got dick
So many highs you don’t hit
I ain’t got the acting skills of Jodie Comer
But i had to fake moon landings till it’s over
Marvin on your lips
That painkiller smile
Every time you kick
Forgive you like a child
Fake bottega tears
Falling in a flood
Don’t know what this is
But we’re not in love
Not in love
Not in love
Not in love
Oh
Don’t know what this is but we’re not in love
Hand to Hand
Is how I walk with you
I waltz with you
Under the moon
Is how I’m ever caught with you
All this dirty dancing made an incentive for me
Move
Excuse girl I know you don’t know me but you my
Muse
Would never wanna love you and leave you
cause That’s a loss
Or Ruined as the lands of Machu pichu let’s peruse
I read your energy over everything I’ll protect it
Just like your neck inspector deck with weapons
Check it will be together if the thought beckons
Love is like your final moments right before your
Breathless
You take my breath away in every form
I wanna hold you close just like a bear within a
Baby arms
From the face to the smile
To eyes
I praise you like the greats in sky
The way we are it is all by designed
You would never feel pain
And the pleasures all mine
Marvin on your lips
That painkiller smile
Every time you kick
Forgive you like a child
Fake bottega tears
Falling in a flood
Don’t know what this is
But we’re not in love
Not in love
Not in love
Not in love
Oh
Don’t know what this is but we’re not in love
