Joel Culpepper… “Beyond the number, it’s progression that’s significant”

Joel Culpepper is on a steady rise to stardom

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Fresh off the back of live performance for Later with Jools Holland on the BBC, Joel Culpepper is on a steady rise to stardom. His stand-out COLORS performance has received 13 million plays and counting, whilst one of his latest singles ‘Tears of a Crown‘, has been selected as the ‘Worlds Hottest Record’ by Annie Mac for BBC Radio1. It marks the 5th and final single from his debut album Sgt Culpepper.

It’s on the debut album ‘Sgt Culpepper’ where Joel makes his mark, pouring his heart and soul into a conceptual record that’s been two years in the making. Released 23rd July 2021, the album includes production credits from Swindle, Guy Chambers, Tom Misch, and Redhino. 

Two years in the works, you can hear every note of the thought that was poured into Sgt Culpepper, every participant holding an implicit understanding of what they wanted to achieve as a team. Inspired by the multiplicities of Joel’s Gemini star sign, it is a record that is split into four sections – The Battle (‘W.A.R’ and ‘Return’), The Surrender (embodied by ‘Poetic Justice’), The Love (‘Thought About You’, recently spinning in the BBC 6Music A-list) , and The Lesson (‘Black Boy’).

Each guides the listener through a process of acceptance and healing. Every aspect of that essential push and pull is addressed, from the skittering jazz-soul frustration of ‘Dead Bodies’ and ‘W.A.R’ (“I’m tired of having to turn the other cheek”) to the summery, lovestruck effervescence of ‘Kisses’ and the double-entendre of ‘Break’, simultaneously written about a struggling romantic relationship and the weathering nature of the Brexit debate.