The Joy Release Omunye, Expanding Their Afro-Pop Sound Ahead of New EP

South African vocal group The Joy have released their latest single, Omunye, marking another step in the KwaZulu-Natal quintet’s growing musical journey. The Afro-pop song explores themes of love while introducing a broader pop sound that expands on the group’s established musical identity. Omunye combines the rich vocal harmonies that have become central to The Joy’s music with contemporary production and a blend of Zulu and English lyrics. The release arrives as the group prepares to unveil a forthcoming EP, giving listeners an early indication of the direction they are taking with their next project. For The Joy, the new single represents both continuity and growth as they continue building an international audience while remaining connected to their South African roots.

Omunye stands out through its combination of traditional South African vocal influences and modern pop production. The song uses both Zulu and English, allowing The Joy to maintain a strong connection to their cultural identity while presenting their music in a way that can reach listeners across different markets. Their layered harmonies remain one of the defining elements of the group’s sound, creating a vocal style that distinguishes them from many contemporary Afro-pop acts. The production gives those harmonies a modern setting without removing the qualities that first attracted audiences to the group. The result is a song that reflects The Joy’s willingness to experiment while protecting the musical characteristics that have helped establish their reputation.

The new single was developed with an international team of songwriters and producers who bring significant experience from the global music industry. Gian Stone, whose previous credits include work with major artists such as Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber, contributed to the creation of the song. Sol Was, who has worked with Beyoncé and Timbaland, also played a role in shaping the track. Their involvement gives Omunye a connection to an international pop production environment while allowing The Joy to bring their own vocal approach into the collaboration. The song also continues the group’s relationship with producer Two Inch Punch, adding another layer of creative continuity as they prepare their upcoming extended play.

The themes explored in Omunye remain accessible, with love serving as one of the central ideas behind the song. The Joy have built much of their appeal around music that communicates emotion through vocal performance, harmony and storytelling, and the new single continues that approach. Rather than abandoning the characteristics that made the group distinctive, Omunye gives those elements a different production setting. The combination of emotional lyrics, bilingual vocals and polished Afro-pop production allows the group to explore a more contemporary sound without losing their identity. This balance is important as The Joy move into another stage of their career and seek to introduce their music to even more listeners.

The release also comes after a period of increasing international recognition for The Joy. The KwaZulu-Natal group has received support from some of the biggest names in global music, including Justin Bieber, Alicia Keys, Doja Cat, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith and Jennifer Hudson. Such recognition has helped increase awareness of the group beyond South Africa and has positioned their distinctive vocal style within a much wider international music conversation. The Joy have also worked directly with artists such as Doja Cat and The Blessed Madonna, giving them opportunities to explore different creative environments. These collaborations have contributed to the group’s development while reinforcing their ability to operate comfortably within both South African and international music spaces.

The Joy first attracted widespread attention through their viral debut single Isencane Lengane, which introduced their powerful harmonies to a much larger audience. The success of the song helped establish the group and paved the way for the release of their 2021 EP Amabutho. That project provided a foundation for their subsequent growth and demonstrated the strength of their vocal arrangements and South African influences. Since then, the group have continued to build their profile through performances, collaborations and international media appearances. Their journey shows how a group rooted in local musical traditions can use digital platforms and international opportunities to develop a global audience.

Their growing international presence has also included appearances on prominent television programmes. The Joy have appeared on The Jennifer Hudson Show as well as Later… with Jools Holland, giving international audiences an opportunity to experience their vocal performances directly. These appearances have helped introduce the group to viewers who may not have previously encountered South African Afro-pop or contemporary Zulu vocal music. Their ability to perform in these settings has also highlighted the strength of their harmonies, which remain a major part of their appeal. Each international appearance adds to the group’s growing catalogue of experiences and strengthens their position as representatives of a new generation of South African musical talent.

The group’s recent work has continued to broaden their creative network. Their collaboration with The Blessed Madonna on Shades of Love demonstrated their willingness to work across genres and musical cultures. The Joy also contributed to Jennifer Hudson’s Christmas album, The Gift of Love, giving them another opportunity to participate in a major international release. These projects have placed the group alongside established global performers while allowing them to retain their own vocal identity. Omunye builds on that momentum by bringing together their South African influences, contemporary Afro-pop and international songwriting and production expertise.

As The Joy prepare for their forthcoming EP, Omunye offers an indication of how the group intends to evolve their sound. The single keeps their signature harmonies at the centre while introducing a wider pop influence that could help them reach an even broader audience. Their use of Zulu and English also demonstrates that international expansion does not require them to distance themselves from the language and culture that shape their music. Instead, the group continues to show how South African vocal traditions can work naturally alongside contemporary global production. With their international profile continuing to grow, the new single gives listeners another reason to follow the next stage of The Joy’s musical journey.

Omunye represents an important release for The Joy as they move towards their next extended play and continue expanding their presence beyond South Africa. The song brings together themes of love, bilingual songwriting, polished pop production and the layered harmonies that have become synonymous with the group. Its collaborations with Gian Stone, Sol Was and Two Inch Punch further demonstrate the increasingly international nature of The Joy’s creative work. At the same time, the group remains firmly connected to the South African influences that shaped their identity from the beginning. As they build on the success of Isencane Lengane, Amabutho and their growing list of international collaborations, Omunye signals a confident new phase for The Joy and sets the stage for their forthcoming EP.

Stream Omunye HERE