Joyce Wrice on Finding Her Confidence and Creative Partners for “MACHIKO”
Joyce Wrice’s “MACHIKO” came together through patience, trusted collaborators and a clearer sense of who she wanted to be. In recent interviews, the singer has described the work behind her second album as a process of finding confidence after the attention surrounding “Overgrown” and her Kaytranada-produced “Motive” EP.
Her October 14th conversation with Rated R&B offers a useful view of that process. Wrice said the project took roughly three and a half years, with time away helping her move beyond pressure and uncertainty. For listeners who already know the songs, her account adds a different story: how she reached the point of being ready to share them.
Trust inside the studio
Wrice singled out her creative relationship with Mack Keane, describing a partnership built on familiarity, shared emotional understanding and the ability to challenge each other. In her telling, the absence of ego mattered. The collaboration gave her space to work through ideas while shaping music that reflected a new stage of adulthood.
In The FADER’s October 8th interview, Wrice described making more than 100 songs during the album’s development. A Hollywood Hills writing camp in summer 2025 helped bring its direction into focus. She also discussed how SALIMATA’s contribution helped establish part of the project’s sonic identity, illustrating how another artist’s perspective can influence an album beyond a single feature.
A personal name, a broader ambition
The FADER conversation also traced the title to Wrice’s middle name and her family’s connection to Tokyo. Alongside those personal roots, she spoke about the performance ambitions behind her work. The result is a creative portrait that stretches from private reflection to the kind of showmanship she wants to bring to an audience.
“MACHIKO” arrived on October 9th with 14 tracks, according to Apple Music. The official “Break Me In” video below provides a listening entry point, while the full album is available on Apple Music.
For more artist interviews and developments beyond release day, follow PowerPage’s R&B News coverage.
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