One of Britain’s young promises, cozyjoe seems to have found his own sound, a stream of laid-back, playful and chilled indie-pop with acoustic undertones and a striking groovy character. At just 21 years old, the London-based creative reminds us of a young Ed Sheeran, at least in its future potential; the sonic quality is a tad different and rather original, with cozyjoe pursuing its own pure and unfiltered path in the music world.
Teaming up with longtime collaborator Mike Kintish of Habbo Records, cozyjoe was able to develop his artistry in great detail, a journey that takes us to ‘coffee grain’, the project’s latest effort, out today. Drenched in personal lyricism and relatable melodies, the song offers a passionate and vulnerable glimpse into the English creative’s daily struggle with ADHD, especially when it comes to addictive traits in the context of a relationship.
Despite such meaningful and honest lyricism, ‘coffee grain’ is not overly poignant or heavy-hearted. Instead, it ventures onto a catchy and buoyant course, one that feels elegant and positive. Intrigued by the project, we caught up with cozyjoe to learn more about his artistry and future goals… interview below!
Hey cozyjoe, thanks for chatting with us! I dived into your project a fair bit, and I am happy to report that your career seems to be on the brink of something special! Do you appreciate being big on TikTok? You seem to have found a real community and an attentive audience there 
Hey!!! Thank you so much :)) For sure! TikTok has been so great for me over the last few years, growing my audience and really getting my name out there in the world. At the moment, I’m in that really difficult process of converting followers to fans, which is stressful but seems to be working really well! It’s not easy, but I’m seeing a lot of growth in terms of engagement, and that’s always a good sign. I feel like with my ‘cozy’ brand, it has opened up so many doors for me creatively, and I’ve been able to share more of who I am with my audience, whether that’s through my music or just everyday moments. Of course, it’s a constant work-in-progress to keep that momentum going, but I’m excited to see where it’ll take me next!
Despite you being only 21, the maturity that evokes from the cozyjoe project as a whole is pretty impressive. Mike Kintish seems to have had a big role in this, together with his label Habbo Records. What are some of the big lessons you learnt from that experience? Any wisdom you can share with the readers?
Mike is a huge reason as to why I am where I am right now. He saw something in me that not many others did, and that’s something I’ll always be grateful for. From the start, we formed a connection that I never really expected to have in the industry. It’s not often you get to work so closely with someone who believes in your vision and gets what you’re about, especially when you’re just starting out. Mike’s support has given me the freedom to create some of my most honest and personal music. There’s no pressure to be anything I’m not. It’s like a safe space to experiment, fail, and learn.
Because the team is small right now, it feels like a tight-knit family, which is rare in this industry. The cool thing is that I’ve been able to really trust the process, even when things seem slow or uncertain. Every little step feels like a win, whether it’s hitting a milestone or just making a track I’m proud of. I’ve learned that success isn’t just about the big moments—it’s about appreciating the small wins and trusting the journey, even when it’s not always clear where it’s heading. You’ve got to stay true to your sound, surround yourself with people who believe in you, and just keep pushing forward. Honestly, that’s probably the best wisdom I can share: don’t rush the process, and take the time to appreciate how far you’ve come.
Before we chat about your latest effort, ‘coffe grain’, it’s time we introduce a theme that you are very familiar with, ADHD. In fact, the song focuses on a particular trait you have been experiencing, the ‘addictive personality’. ADHD is a more and more common factor in today’s society; do you feel that the ability to hyperfocus on things might have helped your music and artistic education? Or perhaps it posed an obstacle at some point?
Living with ADHD was an incredibly difficult challenge growing up, especially when I didn’t fully understand it. It often felt like my mind was constantly jumping from one thing to the next, and that lack of focus made it tough to stick with anything for long. I struggled with school and found it hard to connect with people because I just couldn’t concentrate the way everyone else seemed to. But, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized how much ADHD has shaped my creativity, especially when it comes to writing music.
The ability to hyperfocus on something, even if it’s just for short bursts, has been a huge asset in my music and artistic education. When I get into a creative zone, I can really dive deep, lose myself in the process, and forget about everything else. That kind of intense focus has allowed me to write music, experiment with sounds, and develop my own style. I’ll often find myself in the middle of the night working on a song or lyric, just fully immersed in it, and it’s one of the most freeing feelings. That hyperfocus has also pushed me to learn more about music production and the process of creating songs than I probably would have if I didn’t have ADHD.
I think it’s a big reason why I’ve been able to stay motivated and productive with my music, despite the ups and downs. Of course, it hasn’t always been easy. There are times when I get overwhelmed, when I take on too many projects, or when I struggle to finish what I started. It can definitely pose obstacles, especially when it comes to staying organized and following through. But once I learned to embrace it and understand how to work with my ADHD, rather than against it, everything just started clicking. Now, I wouldn’t change it for anything—it’s become a driving force in my music.
‘coffe grain’ stays true to the cozyjoe brand, with a laid-back, chilled vibe and evocative, gentle vocals. Narrating a tale of firm attraction and romantic addiction, the record approaches it all with a certain playful vibe. Was the song inspired by real-world experiences? Can you shed some light on the writing process?
Yeah, “Coffee Grain” definitely stays true to the cozyjoe vibe—chilled, laid-back, and those soft, honest vocals that I’m always aiming for. The song really explores that feeling of being caught up in something that feels good but also a bit overwhelming, kind of like falling for someone or something, and just not being able to let go. I’ve always struggled with having an addictive personality, whether that’s me being glued to my phone, diving too deep into social media, or even just going out and partying too hard.
I think it’s that pull towards something, that constant craving for more, and not always knowing when to stop. As for the writing process, it was kind of a spontaneous thing. I actually started “Coffee Grain” one night at 4 am, just sitting there in my room, playing around with the guitar, and it kind of just flowed out of me. It felt like one of those rare moments when everything just clicks. I had this idea of the addictive nature of attraction, and I started shaping the lyrics around that.
The next day, I took it to Mike, and he absolutely flipped over it. He loved how honest and raw it felt, which meant a lot to me because I always try to be real in my music. We just vibed off each other, and we ended up finishing the song that same day. It felt effortless, almost like the song was already there, and we were just putting the final pieces in place. It was one of those moments where everything just fell into place, and I’m really proud of how it turned out.
Do you feel more confident writing music alone or within a team?
I think it really depends on the situation and the emotion I’m feeling at the time. When I’m experiencing intense emotions, whether it’s something personal or just a mood that hits me hard, I tend to prefer writing alone. There’s something really raw and personal about those moments, and I feel like I can be the most honest with myself when I’m just sitting with my guitar, in a space where I feel completely comfortable.
But at the same time, I really love writing with Mike. He’s such a key part of my creative process now, and we’ve got this great dynamic. When we’re together, the ideas just flow so naturally. We push each other to explore new sounds and even challenge each other’s perspectives. We’ve developed a really great working relationship, and I feel like we bring out the best in each other creatively. He’s got this amazing ability to take something I’ve written and add layers to it, make it something even better than I could’ve imagined on my own.
Doubling down on the cozyjoe brand; I have to say, it’s pretty strong, well done! What are some of your influences, and are you planning to stick to your guns in the future, or to expand you sound a little bit more?
The cozyjoe brand has definitely become something that feels super natural to me, and I’m glad it’s resonating with people. The whole “cozy” vibe is something that really came together after a long period of artist development. For about two years, I was working through different sounds, figuring out what felt right, and it wasn’t until we found this “cozy” sound that everything started to fall into place. It just felt like a perfect match for who I am as an artist, and once we landed on that, it was like everything just started to open up creatively.
I’ve always struggled with feeling comfortable, whether it was at a party, overly dressing up for a recording session, or even just going out for a casual dinner. I never really felt like I could just be myself in those environments. That’s why the idea of being and feeling as “cozy” as possible means so much to me. I want my music and the cozyjoe brand to reflect that comfort, to let people know that it’s okay to just be yourself and not feel pressured to fit in or pretend to be something you’re not.
Artistically speaking, what challenges have the last two years presented you with?
The last two years have definitely presented some challenges, especially when it comes to navigating the pressures of social media. It’s crazy how much it’s become part of the whole artist journey now—it’s not just about making music anymore, it’s about constantly being visible, staying relevant, and keeping your audience engaged. For me, breaking out on social media has been a major challenge. At first, it felt exciting and like a great way to connect with people, but over time, I’ve started feeling the weight of it all.
It can get overwhelming when you’re trying to keep up with trends, post regularly, and make sure your content aligns with your music and brand. It’s this constant balancing act between staying true to yourself while also meeting the expectations of the platform and your followers. On top of that, the pressure it puts on the music I’m writing is something I’ve had to learn to manage.
Sometimes, it feels like every post or video I share has to be something groundbreaking or perfect, and it can make the process of creating music feel more like a performance than an organic journey. I start second-guessing myself, thinking about how it’s going to be received or how I can make the next big “viral moment” happen. It’s tough because I never want the pressure of social media to take away from the authenticity and honesty that I strive for in my music.
What are the next steps for your project? Anything exciting on the horizon?
I’m so glad you asked, hahah! There’s a ton of new music on the way, some songs I’m really, really excited for people to hear. I’ve been working hard in the studio, experimenting with new sounds, and I feel like I’m growing and evolving with each track. These new songs feel like the next chapter of my project, and I can’t wait to share them with everyone. It’s all about taking that cozy vibe and pushing it in new directions while staying true to what makes cozyjoe, well, cozy.
I’m also playing a lot more live shows, which I’m super gassed about. One of the biggest highlights is my headline show in Liverpool on May 14th! It’s going to be my biggest headline show to date, and it’s actually FREE tickets, so I’d love to see as many of you there as possible! I’m really excited to bring these new songs to the stage and connect with the crowd. There’s nothing quite like that live energy, and I can’t wait to experience it with everyone who comes down.
So yeah, a lot of music, a lot of shows, and just continuing to build on everything we’ve started. I’m feeling super motivated and ready to make this year the best one yet. So, if you’re in Liverpool or nearby, definitely come down and get cozy. It’s going to be a good time.
This article has been supported by cozyjoe through a small donation, and we are proud to be working together to promote his music.
