JOY ORBISON Announces still slipping vol. 1 mixtape His first-ever long from project Out August 13 via XL Recordings

On 13th August 2021, Joy Orbison – the artist name of Peter O’Grady – will release his first-ever long form project. The fourteen-track mixtape titled still slipping vol. 1 is the latest creative milestone from an artist who has been shaping and redefining the electronic music landscape since his teens. Over a decade into a career that has seen him constantly defying categorisation, Joy Orbison is more in-demand and relevant than ever.

Highly anticipated would be an understatement – so influential are his releases to date, it’s difficult to believe he’s never released a full-length project. The name of the mixtape may already be familiar – an evolution from 2019’s acclaimed Slipping EP and also the name of a Joy Orbison curated radio station (“Still Slipping: Los Santos“) within Grand Theft Auto’s immersive world – but in terms of scope and ambition, still slipping vol.1 is without doubt O’Grady’s boldest and most expansive project yet.

First coming to prominence in 2009 with his debut single ‘Hyph Mngo’ – a track that became a bonafide phenomenon and changed the dance music underground forever – the London musician, DJ and producer is undoubtedly one of the most renowned, respected and influential electronic artists of his generation. Whether through his own game-changing releases such as ‘Ellipsis’, ‘GR Etiquette’, ‘Big Room Tech House DJ Tool-TIP!’ or the Slipping EP, collaborations with the likes of Mansur Brown, Overmono and cutting edge Japanese clothing label Cav Empt, a run of genre-defining releases on his Hinge Finger label, a BBC Radio 1 residency and live appearances that span the most credible underground nights to festival headline slots around the world, the name Joy Orbison has been a constant byword for understated, uncompromising quality.

still slipping vol.1 is the next evolution in his journey. Fans of Joy Orbison’s DJ sets and radio shows will already be aware of his diverse tastes and inspirations, represented here through a roll call of delicately curated, mainly UK, collaborators that include Herron, James Massiah, Bathe, Léa Sen, Goya Gumbani and Tyson. Just as important are the voices Joy Orbison’s family – mum, dad, sister Sarah, uncle Frankie, uncle Keith (recently departed), auntie Helen and cousins Lola, Mia and Leighann, who was the first person to introduce O’Grady to drum and bass and garage as a kid and stars on the mixtape’s cover art. They appear throughout the record via a series of voice notes, his only contact with his family during this year of worldwide lockdown and an intimate, vicarious glimpse into the personal world of an artist who has generally side-stepped the public gaze.

The result is Joy Orbison’s best music to date and a powerful distillation of his musical career so far. Recorded in his Walworth Window studio in south east London, this is serious, future-facing sound system music cut through with a sense of warmth and playfulness much needed for these times.  See below for some words from Joy Orbison on the mixtape.

still slipping vol.1 will be available on LP, CD, cassette and on all digital services. Meanwhile, to celebrate with the release of still slipping vol.1, Joy Orbison has also announced an exclusive collaboration with legendary Tokyo-based clothing label Cav Empt. The long-time friends and collaborators (Joy Orbison has previously performed at Cav Empt parties in London and Tokyo and contributed to their renowned tape series) have come together to produce a range of “still slipping” merchandise including t-shirts and socks. This is Cav Empt’s first-ever collaboration with an artist and is sure to be highly sought after.

All still slipping vol.1 formats and merchandise are available to pre-order today HERE.