It’s been a while since Joy Crookes released her debut album ‘Skin’ in 2021, but she’s come back strong this year already with two brand new singles, one being ‘Mathematics’ featuring Kano.
Joy continues to tell real and raw stories through her song writing, combined with her powerful voice, the talent she exudes is indisputable.
As Crookes begins to sing the opening line violins join her, immediately setting a delicate and emotional tone to the track. The drum pattern and piano layered throughout the song create a simple but effective instrumental that perfectly compliments Joy’s typical R&B/Soul sound. ‘Mathematics’ explores how relationships don’t always work out and the disconnect between people that can grow. It delves deep into the anger behind one sided affection whilst also highlighting how tumultuous arguing with a partner is through the perspective of both parties.
Joy’s first verse talks about how their relationship isn’t a “movie” and how difficult it can be to give your all to someone new. The last line being “Get in the deep end / Just to say we should be friends” shows how being in a one sided relationship has wasted her time and she doesn’t want to be someone's “backup part”. The frustration of each line really hits as the drum kicks, especially in the chorus “It’s not mathematics, It’s love”, emphasising the difference in opinion between the pair. Joy describes her partner as a “bruise” that “still hurts” suggesting that this relationship has had a much longer lasting effect on her despite her saying “Goodbye, good luck tryna work it out” in the chorus of the song. As she’s already previously stated, this idea isn’t going to work when it comes to love.
Kano’s verse adds a different angle on the situation as he describes “There’s no saving this ship from sailing” as though the relationship coming to an end is accepted on his side, he even goes as far to say “Maybe our grass would have been greener without this shade you’re chucking”. Essentially putting the blame of the downfall onto the other person, however the song ends with Joy repeating “It’s not mathematics, it’s love” followed by a brief pause before closing the song with “But, he don’t see that”. This line in particular showcases how his viewpoint was never going to change about their love.
Directed by Jake Erland, the pair star in the music video themselves, depicting the relationship. As a viewer you witness the major points in their life together, love, marriage, birth and death, all within the same house, but moving through different rooms. As each scene comes to a close, certain aspects disappear from the set exposing the before and after of their relationship. For the final shot, everything disappears from the living room and the light fades out.
This collaboration as a whole comments on the complex relationships and experiences that people can share, very openly and honestly. Crookes and Kano’s voices fit together effortlessly, creating a beautifully sounding track despite its negative meaning.
Emma Turner
Image ‘Mathematics (feat.Kano)’ Official Single Cover