Joy Anonymous share their warm-up anthems playlist

Welcome back to Selections, a series of artist-curated playlists from those in the know.

Joy Anonymous are the London-based dance duo bringing some much-needed warmth to your speakers. The pair – real names Henry Counsell and Louis Curran – have been dishing out feel-good sounds for a few years now, with more recent works including 2021’s Human Again LP and summer singles JOY (Love’s Not Real) and JOY (Don’t It Make You Feel) every bit as mood-boosting as a fancy wellness shot. Likely far more palatable too, as they pull from a trusty store of ingredients including house, disco and soul.

Given the nature of the project, which has seen the duo taking over locations across the capital for ecstatic pop-up sets and parties in public spaces, it makes sense that Joy Anonymous have gone down a treat on the festival circuit. From London affairs such as All Points East through to Glastonbury, Lost Village and Brighton’s The Great Escape, Counsell and Curran have brought their grin-inducing sounds to audiences all over, spreading a message of togetherness and connection through music along the way. Right now, they’re doing just this in the US, as they support friend and increasingly prolific producer Fred Again.. on his largely sold-out tour.

For the Selections series, the pair fill us in on the songs they listen to before they go on stage. Dubbed JOY (Warm-Ups) – a nickname that mirrors their releases – it’s an energising playlist filled with stirring cuts by an eclectic bunch – think electronic favourites Floating Points and Four Tet, the late jazz harpist and composer Dorothy Ashby and a Madvillainy classic. Not forgetting the inclusion of Robbie Williams, of course. Get stuck in.