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The talented musician knows the essence behind songwriting.

During her youth, dad encouraged her to discover timeless musicians like Nick Cave and folk Pakistani songs.

She shares, “He told me, ‘This is your roots, you should listen’.”

Before long, she bought her debut record – the legendary “What’s Going On” – and uploaded her initial cover on the video platform using a simple instrument.

Her debut record, “Surface,” arrived in the recent past, garnering a Mercury Prize nomination for its soulful ballads. Next, she took the stage at the iconic festival and felt overwhelmed by the epic experience.

Production of her follow-up album, “Juniper,” began some time back. Crookes posted demos on her profile in recent years, several of which ended up on the final album.

“Making sure that the tracks felt right to reflect the message – that was the difficult part,” she states.

Her latest single, “Perfect Crime,” required “20 or 30 takes” before she felt happy.

“It’s wonderfully janky but, for me, the flaws are what matter,” she comments. “Had it been refined, it’d diminish the spirit.”

Other songs on “Juniper” were recorded in a single take, showcasing her evolving approach toward precision.

On “Paris,” she deliberately performs with rawness – choosing authenticity over perfection.

“My dad used to talk about how the artist would ‘release control’ in his songs,” she shares. “For the first time, I let myself to follow suit on this record.”

Struggles and Recovery

The path to embracing imperfection was challenging. Crookes has long struggled with worry, but around that time, it escalated.

After touring her debut record, she went through a “self-indulgent period” marked by low self-esteem.

She found herself in an harmful relationship that triggered a prolonged struggle with emotional well-being.

“The anxiety was so severe that it turned physically debilitating,” she says. “It was impossible to keep food down.”

With help and support, she started to recover, though it proved difficult to let go of ingrained behaviors.

She sings this journey in “The Track,” lyrically facing her struggles with anxiety.

“It’s not saying ‘Goodbye anxiety,’ but rather ‘I can’t let you dominate me so completely.’”

The song marked a turning point – emphasized by its upbeat sound.

“The Song” is a homage to her close supporter, who stood by her during difficult moments.

“Her words, ‘You know I’d go far for you’,” Crookes remembers. “It was a reminder that I had real supporters.”

On “Another Track,” she explores self-worth outside external validation – whether romantic or industry-related.

“I don’t wanted to be pigeonholed only by music,” she explains. “I am a mix of elements. My identity is multifaceted.”

Lately, she ventured into acting, marking her debut in “Ish,” which received an audience award at a major festival.

She aspires to contribute to the upcoming follow-up to “the classic film” – whether through soundtrack or on-screen.

“The original touched on brownness and Irishness – themes relevant to me,” she notes.

Currently, she is gearing up on sharing “her album” – a testament to her resilience.

“After surviving such challenges, you feel both accomplished and heartbroken simultaneously,” she shares. “That’s what makes this release so bittersweet.”

Looking ahead, she is currently working on her next project – feeling freer than in years.

“I feel very alive now,” she concludes. “It’s incredible.”