“just left uni, what tf do i do now?” – cozyjoe asks himself. It’s a question we suspect will relate to a fair number of like-minded listeners out there. ‘best friends couch’ delves deeper into the same theme, exposing all the doubts and uncertainty of life after university. Marking cozyjoe’s latest single, the track is a playful and nostalgic anthem for early adulthood, and a grateful celebration of friendship. Judging by what we hear in the song, we suspect cozyjoe’s future is rather bright.
Wrapped into a slick and dynamic indie-pop production, ‘best friends couch’ feels heartwarming and catchy, with the young British creative’s vocals delivering a flurry of enchanting, mellow melodies. Having just graduated from LIPA (The Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts), cozyjoe pens a personal piece, a wonderful record that sounds better than ever. As always, he’s aided by producer Mike Kintish at Habbo Records.
Following up on our previous chat with cozyjoe, we caught up with him again, as he narrates the circumstances behind ‘Best Friends Couch’. Interview below…
Hey cozyjoe! Great to connect again. We first chatted earlier this year; at the time, you were busy releasing ‘coffee grain’. How’s life been since then? How’s summer treating you?
So good to catch up with you guys again, appreciate you having me back! Life’s been sweet, just been grafting away on a load of exciting things, tons of big changes happening lately, but all good vibes <3
Talking about big changes, we feel as though congratulations are in order, given that you have just completed your university degree at LIPA (The Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts). As the saying goes, the world is your oyster now. How does it feel to be ‘free’? 🙂
Thank you, I appreciate that! To be fair, it’s pretty crazy, my time at university flew by quicker than I ever expected. I have had a wonderful time in Liverpool over the last 3 years, but I’m glad to be back in London now. No longer being in the education system seems strange, but lowkey, I am so over it hahaha! It feels good to be free. Doesn’t feel so great being an adult though…
Your latest effort ‘best friends couch’ really dials in on that very same theme, exposing all the uncertain trepidation and doubts that often arise with graduating and entering actual adulthood. When did the song first pop into your head?
The idea had been floating around in my head for a while. Slowly moving out of the whole education system brought up all sorts of mixed feelings, like figuring out jobs, thinking about where I’m headed, being away from my girlfriend and my mates… it was a lot to process, and the song kind of became a space to unpack all that.
From a sonic standpoint, the single feels really well-made; Mike Kintish’s production is nearly perfect, and overall, I get the sense you have reached a certain maturity, songwriting-wise. Are you satisfied with how the record turned out?
Thank you for the kind words! Yeah, Mike’s production has just clicked so well with where my sound’s at right now. We’re properly locked in creatively, and I definitely feel like the music’s stepped up in terms of maturity. I’m really proud of how this one turned out, and honestly, so gassed for what’s coming next after this track.
Looking ahead, it’s easy to imagine you doubling down on releases and really expanding the cozyjoe brand. Do you have some kind of plan for the future?
For sure, I’m really focused on locking down my brand and just pushing my name out there, fully building out the whole “cozy” world. It’s all about building the community, one step at a time. No rush; I just want to get it right.
Apart from music, is there anything else that you are pursuing at the moment – or that you will in the future?
Yeah, right now I’m really diving into London streetwear, it’s such a big part of what I want to represent as cozyjoe. I’m all about those big, baggy, comfy clothes. I absolutely love London streetwear, and I’m excited to build on that and bring it into the ‘keep it cozy’ store.
We suspect that a lot of fellow graduates will relate to ‘best friends couch’. Is there anything you’d like to say to them?
I think a lot of grads will definitely feel that one. If you’re out here trying to figure it all out, just know you’re not alone in feeling that uncertainty. It’s all part of the journey, and as messy as it can get, it’s about finding your own pace. Stay true to what feels right for you, and things will fall into place.
Lastly, I’d love to know whether you feel hopeful for the future. It is a challenging world, yet you are obviously talented and moving with purpose. Do you think you’ll be alright? Especially now that you are down in London?
Certainly, I’m back in London now, and happy to be here again after all this time. feeling super excited and hopeful about what’s coming up. It’s a crazy world, but I’ve got purpose and a lot of good things ahead, so I’m feeling pretty good about it all.
This article has been supported by cozyjoe through a small donation, and we are proud to be working together to promote his music.
