Renowned spoken word artist and musician Joshua Idehen shares the brilliant new EP, Mum Does The Washing. The four-track project, a collaboration with producer and instrumentalist Ludvig Parment, is a masterful blend of poetry, experimental ideas and modern club sounds that offers commentary, emotional resonance and a sense of dance floor energy.
The title track, Mum Does The Washing, is an intimate and humorous spoken-word piece that has already caught the attention of tastemakers like Jamz Supernova and Huw Stephens on 6 music. Inspired by the everyday wisdom of a mother interpreting life through laundry, the song captures Idehen’s unique ability to turn the mundane into something profound.
The EP’s second single, Could Be Forever, delves into human connection and selfless love. Idehen draws from two deeply moving real-life stories: an immigrant dentist working in a bar to support his daughter’s education back home, and a Kenyan man caring for his ailing wife in Sweden. “These stories teach me about a love that goes beyond anything I have personally felt,” Idehen shares. “I am in awe of them, and this song is my way of honouring them.”
Among the standout tracks is Tactics for Survival, featuring Estonian pianist Hanakiv’s haunting piano motifs layered over a minimalist yet danceable soundscape. The song reflects on coping mechanisms developed during the pandemic, a theme close to Idehen’s heart. “This was the very first thing Ludvig and I worked on during the pandemic,” Idehen explains. “I was obsessed with how different cultures and communities coped under lockdown. When Hanakiv sent us her piano stems, it felt like the right home for the verse.”
The EP closes with a bold reimagining of Talking Heads’ classic Once In A Lifetime. Infused with gospel-inspired vocals and Idehen’s introspective delivery, the track explores gratitude and self-doubt in equal measure. As Idehen looks back on his journey, both personally and artistically, the cover feels like a fitting conclusion to an EP that packs personality, genuine artistic expression and musicality in equal measure.
Catch Joshua Idehen at London’s MOTH Club on December 7th. listen to the new EP below:
