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Ballads 1

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Ballads 1
Studio album by
Joji
Released26 October 2018 (2018-10-26)
Genre
Length35:06
Label
Producer
Joji chronology
In Tongues
(2017) 		Ballads 1
(2018)
Singles from Ballads 1
  1. "Yeah Right"
    Released: 8 May 2018
  2. "Slow Dancing in the Dark"
    Released: 12 September 2018
  3. "Can't Get Over You"
    Released: 2 October 2018
  4. "Test Drive"
    Released: 16 October 2018

Ballads 1 (stylized in all caps) is the debut studio album by Japanese singer-songwriter Joji. It follows the In Tongues EP, his first project as Joji, and Pink Season, his only album released under the now-retired alter-ego Pink Guy. It was released on 26 October 2018 through 88rising Records and 12Tone Music.[2] The album debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 as well as number one on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.

Composition and writing

Ballads 1 is primarily produced by Joji himself[3] and features only one vocal feature, with Trippie Redd appearing on "R.I.P"[4] though features production features from names such as Clams Casino, D33J and Shlohmo. The project is introspective, writing about the "reality of love, life and everything in between."[5] The project ranges from songs that are "heart-wretching" and sometimes more cheerful to capture the feeling that "no one's sad all the time".[6]

The focus of the project is ballads, according to Joji;[5] and in an interview with Annie Mac said that he was trying to make the project full of ballads that are different in their "own special way"[7] and that are powerful, set a new direction but keep "Joji roots" he established on In Tongues.[6]

Joji stated in an interview with Triple J how he wanted to take a more pop-oriented approach to his style on the album, which began with the single "Yeah Right".[8]

Release and promotion

Ballads 1 was announced on 12 September 2018 alongside the release of the album's second single "Slow Dancing in the Dark".[9] An accompanying music video directed by Jared Hogan was released the same day.[10] The lead single, "Yeah Right" had been released on 8 May 2018.[11] It was released with a music video and was produced by Joji.[12]

"Can't Get Over You" was released on 2 October 2018 with an accompanying video directed by Miller and SAINT.[13] The album's release date, cover artwork and track listing were revealed the same day.

"Test Drive" was released on 16 October 2018 with an accompanying video directed by James Defina.[14]

A music video for "Wanted U" was released on 29 October 2018, directed by Michael La Burt.[15]

Commercial performance

Ballads 1 debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200, with 57,000 album-equivalent units.[16]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Pitchfork6.7/10[1]
Rolling Stone[17]
Highsnobiety3.0/5.0[18]

Braudie Blais-Billie from Pitchfork stated "Joji's first full-length project features a host of guests in a quality effort to help push past the confines of his bedroom walls and tedious heartache", going onto write "The ballad is a great mode for Joji. It retains the tormented intimacy of his music while elevating his approach to a more radio-friendly consistency than the runny compositions of In Tongues", giving the album a 6.7/10.[19] Elias Leight from Rolling Stone gave the project 3 out of 5 stars, complimenting the progression from the In Tongues EP, the change of musical style throughout the project and the ability to produce "a particular kind of self-deprecating pop."[20]

Rap and R&B blogs, the two genres which are the primary demographic of Miller,[21] gave the project positive reviews. Highsnobiety gave the project 3/5 stars, calling it a "near-classic" with "on-point production" and complimenting Miller's progression.[22] HotNewHipHop gave the project a "Very Hot" rating calling the project "smooth."[23] RIFF Magazine complimented Miller's attempt to expand on his potential and spoke on its "array of soundscapes."[24]

Track listing

All tracks are written by George Miller, except where noted

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Attention" Joji2:08
2."Slow Dancing in the Dark" Patrick Wimberly3:29
3."Test Drive" RL Grime2:59
4."Wanted U" Joji4:11
5."Can't Get Over You" (featuring Clams Casino) 
1:47
6."Yeah Right" Joji[25]2:54
7."Why Am I Still in LA" (featuring Shlohmo and D33J) 
3:19
8."No Fun" Jam City2:48
9."Come Thru" Shlohmo2:33
10."R.I.P." (featuring Trippie Redd)
2:38
11."XNXX"
  • Miller
  • John Durham
  • Joji
  • John Durham
2:07
12."I'll See You in 40" Joji4:13
Total length:35:06

Notes

Personnel

Credits adapted from Qobuz.[26]

Charts

Chart (2018) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[27] 17
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[28] 81
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[29] 7
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[30] 44
Irish Albums (IRMA)[31] 37
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[32] 10
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[33] 4
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[34] 47
UK Albums (OCC)[35] 26
UK R&B Albums (OCC)[36] 8
US Billboard 200[37] 3
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[38] 1

References

  1. ^ a b Blais-Billie, Braudie (31 October 2018). "Joji: BALLADS 1 Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  2. ^ "BALLADS 1 by Joji on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  3. ^ "Joji's 'BALLADS 1' Album: Stream It Here". Highsnobiety. 2018-10-28. Retrieved 2018-10-28.
  4. ^ "Trippie Redd & Joji Will Do Anything For You On "R.I.P."". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 2018-10-28.
  5. ^ a b Herman, Tamar. "Joji Talks 'Ballads 1' And How His Music Is Just The Start". Forbes. Retrieved 2018-10-27.
  6. ^ a b "The Deed Has Been Done: An Interview With Joji". Complex. Retrieved 2018-10-27.
  7. ^ Jambino (2018-09-18). "Joji Interview – BBC Radio 1 (Annie Mac)". Retrieved 2018-10-27.
  8. ^ "Joji 'Yeah Right is a song for ugly people'". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2018-07-26. Retrieved 2018-10-27.
  9. ^ Skelton, Eric (12 September 2018). "Joji Drops "Slow Dancing in the Dark" Video and Announces 'BALLADS 1' Album". Complex. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  10. ^ Moen, Matt (12 September 2018). "Joji Has a Rough Night in 'Slow Dancing in the Dark'". Paper Magazine. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  11. ^ "Joji Is an Emotional Wreck in His Video for "Yeah Right"". Highsnobiety. 2018-10-27. Retrieved 2018-10-27.
  12. ^ "Joji Drops New Song 'Yeah Right'". PigeonsandPlanes. Retrieved 2018-10-27.
  13. ^ Leight, Elias (2 October 2018). "Joji Rollerblades Away From Heartbreak in 'Can't Get Over You' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  14. ^ Sawyer, Jonathan (16 October 2018). "Joji Shares Video for RL Grime-Produced "TEST DRIVE" From His Debut Album". Highsnobiety. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  15. ^ Sawyer, Jonathan (29 October 2018). "Joji Is an '80s Rocker in His 'WANTED U' Video". Highsnobiety. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  16. ^ "Joji's 'Ballads 1' Debuts at No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-04-14.
  17. ^ Leight, Elias (29 October 2018). "Review: Joji Masters Self-Deprecating Pop on 'Ballads 1'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  18. ^ "Joji's 'BALLADS 1' Is a Soul-Baring Near-Classic with On-Point Production". Highsnobiety. 29 October 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  19. ^ "Joji: BALLADS 1 Album Review | Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Retrieved 2018-11-01.
  20. ^ Leight, Elias (2018-10-29). "Review: Joji Masters Self-Deprecating Pop on 'Ballads 1'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2018-11-01.
  21. ^ "Singer/Producer Joji on His Career Flip From Crude Viral Comedy to Understated R&B: 'Now I Get to Do Stuff That I Want to Hear'". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-11-01.
  22. ^ "Joji's 'BALLADS 1' Album Review: A Soul-Baring Near-Classic". Highsnobiety.com. 2018-11-01. Retrieved 2018-11-01.
  23. ^ "Joji Releases His Ultra Smooth Debut Album "BALLADS 1"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 2018-11-01.
  24. ^ "ALBUM REVIEW: Joji pursues his potential with 'Ballads 1' | RIFF Magazine". riffmagazine.com. Retrieved 2018-11-01.
  25. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (9 May 2018). "Joji reveals dreamy, R&B infused track "yeah right"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  26. ^ "BALLADS 1 | Joji". Qobuz. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  27. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Joji – Ballads 1". Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  28. ^ "Ultratop.be – Joji – Ballads 1" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  29. ^ "Tory Lanez Releases 2nd Hit Album In Seven Month Stretch". FYIMusicNews. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  30. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Joji – Ballads 1" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  31. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Joji". Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  32. ^ "Charts.nz – Joji – Ballads 1". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  33. ^ "VG-lista – Topp 40 Album uke 49, 2018". VG-lista. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  34. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Joji – Ballads 1". Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  35. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  36. ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  37. ^ Caulfield, Keith (4 November 2018). "Andrea Bocelli Earns First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Si'". Billboard. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  38. ^ "Joji's 'Ballads 1' Debuts at No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart". Billboard.
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