Joy Orbison — the moniker of London-based producer Peter O’Grady — is currently in the most vital phase of his career. Long celebrated as a defining voice in the UK underground, he finds himself at a rare juncture where underground credibility and broad cultural resonance not only coexist but actively fuel one another.
In recent years, O’Grady’s work has taken on a new clarity of intent. His 2021 debut mixtape, still slipping vol. 1, marked a quiet turning point: a deeply personal collection that wove together cutting-edge production, intimate spoken-word interludes from family, and contributions from artists like James Massiah, Léa Sen, Herron, and Tyson. Released via XL
Recordings, it felt less like a debut album than a pirate transmission from a parallel London — one where tenderness and sonic pressure are two sides of the same coin. The critical response reflected this nuance: still slipping won “Best Album” at DJ Mag’s Best of British Awards and was praised by Resident Advisor and The Guardian for its emotional clarity and resistance to conventional formats.
Since then, O’Grady’s work has only deepened. Tracks like 2024’s “flight fm” — the year’s biggest club anthem — underscored his rare ability to bridge underground textures with mass appeal, reaffirming his knack for crafting what Resident Advisor called “world-conquering anthems.”. The track won “Best Track” at DJ Mag’s 2024 Awards (where he also picked up “Best DJ”) and spawned countless edits and remixes, culminating in the official “flex fm” version with Fred again.., Lil Yachty, Playboi Carti, and Future. This consistent innovation is all the more remarkable when you consider the long arc of Joy Orbison’s career. Though his early singles like 2009’s debut “Hyph Mngo” were heralded as seismic dance floor moments, he has never settled into the comfort of that legacy. Instead, he’s pushed restlessly forward. Meanwhile, his collaborative instincts remain as sharp as ever. A longstanding kinship with Overmono has yielded some of the most vital UK dance music of the past five years — from the anthemic “Bromley” and “Blind Date” to 2023’s “Freedom 2” a high-impact collaboration with Kwengface. And in 2025, he yet again sidestepped expectations, teaming with cult Southend rapper Joe James on “Bastard,” a murky, magnetic track bridging bass music and road rap.
Whether in the studio, behind the decks, or curating his Just For You nights at Fabric, Joy O remains a quiet innovator — shaping the future of electronic music by forging his own singular path.