In Defense of My Own Happiness
{{Infobox album
| name = In Defense of My Own Happiness
| type = studio
| artist = Joy Oladokun
| cover = In defense of my own happiness.jpg
| alt =
| released = {{Start date|2021|06|04}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre = {{hlist|Folk-pop|folk rock|indie rock|R&B}}
| length = 46:00
| label = {{hlist|Amigo|Verve Forecast|Republic}}
| producer = {{hlist|Dave Bassett|Jon Castellini|Ian Fitchuk|Jeremy Lutito|Peter Groenwald|Joy Oladokun|David Pramik|Jimmy Robbins|Robopop}}
| prev_title = In Defense of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings)
| prev_year = 2020
| next_title = Proof of Life
| next_year = 2023
| misc = {{Singles
| single1 = If You Got a Problem
| single1date = September 18, 2020
| single2 = I See America
| single2date = October 16, 2020
| single3 = Look Up
| single3date = November 6, 2020
| single4 = Mighty Die Young
| single4date = December 4, 2020
| single5 = Wish You the Best
| single5date = January 15, 2021
| single6 = Jordan
| single6date = February 26, 2021
| single7 = Sorry Isn't Good Enough
| single7date = April 30, 2021
| single8 = Bigger Man
| single8date = May 14, 2021
}}}}
In Defense of My Own Happiness (stylized in all lowercase) is the third studio album and major label debut by American singer-songwriter Joy Oladokun. It was released on June 4, 2021, by Amigo Records, Verve Forecast Records, and Republic Records and serves as the sequel to her second studio album In Defense of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings) (2020). It was promoted by eight singles released throughout 2020 and 2021, and includes two previous singles from The Beginnings, "Sunday" and "Breathe Again". The album features guest appearances from Jensen McRae, Maren Morris, and Penny & Sparrow. On July 30, 2021, a "complete edition" was released featuring all the songs from both albums, as well as two new songs.
In Defense of My Own Happiness was listed as one of the best albums of 2021 by American Songwriter{{cite web|url=https://americansongwriter.com/the-best-albums-of-2021/|title=The 41 Best Albums of 2021|work=American Songwriter|date=17 December 2021 |access-date=March 21, 2022}} and Billboard,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-albums-2021/|magazine=Billboard|date=December 6, 2021|access-date=March 21, 2022|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2021: Staff List }} the sixth best folk album of the year by PopMatters,{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/15-best-folk-albums-2021/2|title=THE 15 BEST FOLK ALBUMS OF 2021|last=Frahm|first=Jonathan|work=PopMatters|date=December 2, 2021|access-date=March 21, 2022}} and among the best albums of the first half of 2021 by Rolling Stone.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/best-albums-2021-1179958/|title=Best Albums of 2021 So Far|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=June 11, 2021|access-date=March 21, 2022}} The album was nominated for the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist.{{cite web|url=https://www.glaad.org/mediaawards/33/nominees|title=The Nominees for the 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards|website=glaad|date=15 September 2021 |access-date=January 28, 2022}}
Background
After releasing two independent studio albums, Carry (2016) and In Defense of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings) (2020), Oladokun signed a record deal with Amigo Records and Verve Forecast Records under the Republic Records umbrella.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/joy-oladokun-artist-you-need-to-know-1207348/|title=Joy Oladokun's Hard-Won Happiness|last=Freeman|first=Jon|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=August 6, 2021|access-date=March 21, 2022}} Prior to this her music had been featured in various television shows like This Is Us, Grey's Anatomy, Catfish, The L Word: Generation Q, and Station 19 and named one of NPR's Artists to Watch.{{cite web|url=https://guitargirlmag.com/news/music-news/joy-oladokuns-major-label-debut-album-in-defense-of-my-own-happiness-out-june-4/|title=Joy Oladokun's major label debut album "in defense of my own happiness" out June 4|work=Guitar Girl Magazine|date=May 25, 2021|access-date=March 21, 2022}}
In In Defense of My Own Happiness, Joy Oladokun sings about her experience as a queer Black woman born to Nigerian immigrants and raised in a small town in Arizona.{{cite web|url=https://www.nodepression.com/album-reviews/joy-oladokun-maps-out-personal-history-and-universal-truths-on-breakout-record/|title=Joy Oladokun Maps Out Personal History and Universal Truths on Breakout Record|last=Liptak|first=Carmena|work=No Depression|date=June 3, 2021|access-date=March 21, 2022}} It tackles issues like religious trauma, coming out, racial bias, and male privilege. Much of the album was recorded in Oladokun's East Nashville home studio.{{cite web|url=https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/coverstory/the-people-issue-2021-singer-and-sensitive-stoner-joy-oladokun/article_8ff29940-cbfd-5209-acc8-987f4bec8438.html|title=The People Issue 2021: Singer and 'Sensitive Stoner' Joy Oladokun|last=Seling|first=Megan|work=Nashville Scene|date=March 25, 2021|access-date=March 21, 2022}} Oladokun attempts to lift up other Black and queer people with her music, saying in an interview with Nashville Scene, "I do feel like a sense of calling and camaraderie for people who have also been through similar things or had events that evoke similar emotions of loneliness and stress. I feel a responsibility to serve the global community in that way."
Promotion
The album was promoted by eight singles, "If You Got a Problem", "I See America", "Look Up", "Mighty Die Young", "Wish You the Best", "Jordan", "Sorry Isn't Good Enough", and "Bigger Man". "If You Got a Problem, "Wish You the Best", and "Sorry Isn't Good Enough" all received official music videos. "Bigger Man" was sent to adult alternative radio on June 7, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/triple-a/future-releases|title=Triple A Future Releases|website=All Access|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210531150228/https://www.allaccess.com/triple-a/future-releases|archive-date=May 31, 2021|access-date=March 21, 2022}}
Oladokun performed "Breathe Again" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on February 9, 2021, and on Today on February 19, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.nashvillescene.com/music/nashvillecream/joy-oladokun-makes-her-late-night-debut-on-i-fallon-i/article_4afaf873-5855-546d-bcb2-7c890042d68e.html|title=Joy Oladokun Makes Her Late-Night Debut on Fallon
|last=Trageser|first=Stephen|work=Nashville Scene|date=February 10, 2021|access-date=March 21, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.today.com/video/watch-joy-oladokun-perform-breathe-again-101291077607|title=Watch Joy Oladokun perform 'Breathe Again'|website=Today.com|access-date=March 21, 2022}} She performed "Look Up", "I See America", and "Sunday" on Hulu's Your Attention Please virtual Black History Month concert on February 18, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2021/02/17/24-kgoldn-swae-lee-featured-hulus-your-attention-please-concert/6763944002/|title=24kGoldn, Joy Oladokun featured on Hulu's Black History|last=Dinges|first=Gary|website=USA Today |date=February 17, 2021|access-date=March 21, 2022}} She played "Sunday" on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on June 24, 2021.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/joy-oladokun-sunday-colbert-1188736/|title=Joy Oladokun Gives Emotionally Wrought Performance of 'Sunday' on 'Colbert'|last=Zemler|first=Emily|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=June 24, 2021|access-date=March 21, 2022}}
She performed "If You Got a Problem", "Sunday", "I See America", and "Jordan" for Rolling Stone{{'}}s "In My Room" at-home concert series on June 15, 2021.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/joy-oladokun-album-in-defense-of-my-own-happiness-in-my-room-1184727/|title='In My Room' With Joy Oladokun|last=Freeman|first=Jon|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=June 15, 2021|access-date=March 21, 2022}} She performed "If You Got a Problem", "Taking the Heat", "I See America", and "Sunday" for NPR Tiny Desk Concert on August 20, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/joy-oladokun-npr-tiny-desk-at-home/|title=Joy Oladokun Releases 'NPR Tiny Desk (At Home)' Performance|last=Schube|first=Will|work=U Discover Music|date=August 20, 2021|access-date=March 21, 2022}} On October 16, 2021, she performed "If You Got a Problem" on CBS Mornings.{{cite web|url=https://www.jambase.com/article/joy-oladokun-cbs-this-morning-saturday-sessions|title=Joy Oladokun Performs On 'CBS This Morning'|last=Bernstein|first=Scott|work=JamBase|date=October 18, 2021|access-date=March 21, 2022}} She played "Taking the Heat" on Austin City Limits on January 15, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.jambase.com/article/joy-oladokun-austin-city-limits-taking-the-heat|title=Joy Oladokun Performs 'Taking The Heat' For 'Austin City Limits': Exclusive Video Premiere|work=JamBase|last=Bernstein|first=Scott|date=January 13, 2022|access-date=March 21, 2022}} She performed "I See America" on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on January 19, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.jambase.com/article/joy-oladokun-i-see-america-kimmel|title=Joy Oladokun Performs 'I See America' On 'Kimmel'|last=Bernstein|first=Scott|work=JamBase|date=January 20, 2022|access-date=March 21, 2022}}
Critical reception
Jake Uitti of American Songwriter called In Defense of My Own Happiness "a stunning first album–tender, personal, and pensive–and indicates there is more where this came from." Billboard writer Taylor Simz praised Oladokun's songwriting, saying "With each song, the album feels like stepping one foot deeper into a lake to be baptized through Oladokun’s gospel, as her soothing voice, piano and frequent claps wash over the listener. Her candor creates a sincere space for fans to take in the world from her perspective as she tackles racist biases on 'I See America' and double standards on the Maren Morris joint effort, 'Bigger Man.'" Rolling Stone's Jon Freeman said that "Oladokun never hides her past struggles or pain in her lyrics, but as with songs like 'If You Got a Problem' and 'Look Up,' she’s always seeking out the light to point the way, making for one of the year’s most uplifting listens." Jonathan Frahm of PopMatters said "Production is crisp, and arrangements are easily accessible yet meticulously crafted. It’s Oladokun’s magnificent heart that takes center stage, though, with her songs coming off as her meditations as a Black, LGBTQ+ woman."
Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = In Defense of My Own Happiness track listing
| total_length = 46:00
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| title1 = Someone That I Used To Be
| writer1 = {{hlist|Olubukola Oladokun|Emily Habe|Jeremy Lutito}}
| extra1 = Oladokun
| length1 = 3:41
| title2 = Sunday
| writer2 = Oladokun
| extra2 = Robopop
| length2 = 3:13
| title3 = Sorry Isn't Good Enough
| writer3 = {{hlist|Oladokun|David Pramik}}
| extra3 = {{hlist|Oladokun|Pramik}}
| length3 = 3:07
| title4 = I See America
| writer4 = Oladokun
| extra4 = Oladokun
| length4 = 2:44
| title5 = Wish You the Best
| note5 = featuring Jensen McRae
| writer5 = {{hlist|Oladokun|Jensen McRae}}
| extra5 = Oladokun
| length5 = 3:12
| title6 = Let It Be Me
| writer6 = {{hlist|Oladokun|Henry Brill}}
| extra6 = Oladokun
| length6 = 3:50
| title7 = Bigger Man
| note7 = with Maren Morris
| writer7 = {{hlist|Oladokun|Jimmy Robbins|Laura Veltz|Maren Morris}}
| extra7 = {{hlist|Oladokun|Robbins}}
| length7 = 3:06
| title8 = If You Got a Problem
| writer8 = {{hlist|Oladokun|Ian Fitchuk|Peter Groenwald}}
| extra8 = {{hlist|Fitchuk|Groenwald}}
| length8 = 3:06
| title9 = Mighty Die Young
| writer9 = Oladokun
| extra9 = Oladokun
| length9 = 2:18
| title10 = Breathe Again
| writer10 = {{hlist|Oladokun|James Droll|Groenwald}}
| extra10 = Groenwald
| length10 = 3:49
| title11 = Heaven From Here
| note11 = with Penny & Sparrow
| writer11 = {{hlist|Oladokun|Jake Ohlbaum|Sean Trainor}}
| extra11 = Oladokun
| length11 = 3:03
| title12 = Look Up
| writer12 = {{hlist|Oladokun|Dave Bassett}}
| extra12 = Bassett
| length12 = 3:33
| title13 = Taking the Heat
| writer13 = Oladokun
| extra13 = Oladokun
| length13 = 3:17
| title14 = Jordan
| writer14 = Oladokun
| extra14 = Oladokun
| length14 = 4:01
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = In Defense of My Own Happiness (complete) track listing
| total_length = 78:29
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| title1 = Jordan
| writer1 = Oladokun
| extra1 = Oladokun
| length1 = 4:01
| title2 = Smoke
| writer2 = {{hlist|Oladokun|Matthew Koziol|Bre Kennedy|Lutito}}
| extra2 = Lutito
| length2 = 2:50
| title3 = If You Got a Problem
| writer3 = {{hlist|Oladokun|Fitchuk|Groenwald}}
| extra3 = {{hlist|Fitchuk|Groenwald}}
| length3 = 3:06
| title4 = I See America
| writer4 = Oladokun
| extra4 = Oladokun
| length4 = 2:44
| title5 = Heaven From Here
| note5 = with Penny & Sparrow
| writer5 = {{hlist|Oladokun|Ohlbaum|Trainor}}
| extra5 = Oladokun
| length5 = 3:03
| title6 = Younger Days
| writer6 = Oladokun
| extra6 = Jon Castellini
| length6 = 3:34
| title7 = Sunday
| writer7 = Oladokun
| extra7 = Robopop
| length7 = 3:13
| title8 = Bad Blood
| writer8 = Oladokun
| extra8 = Oladokun
| length8 = 3:08
| title9 = Lost
| writer9 = Oladokun
| extra9 = Oladokun
| length9 = 3:24
| title10 = Who Do I Turn To?
| writer10 = {{hlist|Oladokun|Natalie Hemby}}
| extra10 = Oladokun
| length10 = 3:09
| title11 = Sorry Isn't Good Enough
| writer11 = {{hlist|Oladokun|Pramik}}
| extra11 = {{hlist|Oladokun|Pramik}}
| length11 = 3:07
| title12 = Taking the Heat
| writer12 = Oladokun
| extra12 = Oladokun
| length12 = 3:17
| title13 = Brick by Brick
| writer13 = Oladokun
| extra13 = Oladokun
| length13 = 3:33
| title14 = Someone That I Used To Be
| writer14 = {{hlist|Oladokun|Habe|Lutito}}
| extra14 = Oladokun
| length14 = 3:41
| title15 = Unwelcoming
| writer15 = {{hlist|Oladokun|Sweet Talker}}
| extra15 = Oladokun
| length15 = 2:19
| title16 = Bigger Man
| note16 = with Maren Morris
| writer16 = {{hlist|Oladokun|Robbins|Veltz|Morris}}
| extra16 = {{hlist|Oladokun|Robbins}}
| length16 = 3:06
| title17 = Mercy
| note17 = featuring Tim Gent
| writer17 = {{hlist|Oladokun|Gent|Ben Didelot}}
| extra17 = Oladokun
| length17 = 3:36
| title18 = Let It Be Me
| writer18 = {{hlist|Oladokun|Brill}}
| extra18 = Oladokun
| length18 = 3:49
| title19 = Mighty Die Young
| writer19 = Oladokun
| extra19 = Oladokun
| length19 = 2:18
| title20 = Judas
| writer20 = {{hlist|Oladokun|Droll|Steven Colyer}}
| extra20 = Groenwald
| length20 = 2:41
| title21 = Breathe Again
| writer21 = {{hlist|Oladokun|Droll|Groenwald}}
| extra21 = Groenwald
| length21 = 3:49
| title22 = Too High
| writer22 = Oladokun
| extra22 = Bassett
| length22 =3:16
| title23 = Look Up
| writer23 = {{hlist|Oladokun|Bassett}}
| extra23 = Bassett
| length23 = 3:33
| title24 = Wish You the Best
| note24 = featuring Jensen McRae
| writer24 = {{hlist|Oladokun|McRae}}
| extra24 = Oladokun
| length24 = 3:12
}}
Notes
- All song titles stylized in all lowercase, except "Bigger Man" and "Who Do I Turn To?"
Personnel
=Musicians=
{{col div}}
- Joy Oladokun – vocals {{small|(all tracks)}}, bass, drums, guitar, keyboards, percussion, programming
- Dave Bassett – programming
- Bobby Chase – violin
- Ian Fitchuk – programming
- Peter Groenwald – programming
- Austin Hoke – cello
- Betsy Lamb – viola
- Jensen McRae – vocals
- Maren Morris – vocals
- Penny and Sparrow – vocals
- David Pramik – drums, guitar
- Jimmy Robbins – banjo, keyboards, percussion, piano, programming
- Robopop – programming
- Kristin Weber – violin
{{col div end}}
=Technical=
{{col div}}
- Dale Becker – mastering
- Joshua Berkman – A&R
- Pedro Calloni – mixing
- Dahlia Ambach Caplin – A&R
- Chloe Clements – A&R
- Fili Fizziola – assistant mastering engineer, mastering
- Clint Gibbs – mixing
- Mike "Frog" Griffith – production coordinator
- Conor Hedge – assistant mastering engineer
- Jordan Lehning – string arranger, recording engineer
- Sean Moffit – mixing
- David Pramik – recording engineer
- Jimmy Robbins – recording engineer
- Konrad Snyder – mixing
- Hector Vega – assistant mastering engineer
{{col div end}}
=Complete edition only=
{{col div}}
- Jon Castellini – mixing
- Ben Didelot – mastering engineer, mixing
- "Spider" Ron Entwistle – guitar
- Tim Gent – vocals
- George Hazelrigg – Hammond B3, piano
- Nate Lotz – drums
- Jeremy Lutito – programming
- Logan Matheny – mixing
- Rob Moose – strings
- Jon Ossman – bass
- Todd Simon – horn
{{col div end}}