Ballads 1

Ballads 1 (stylized in all caps) is the debut studio album by Japanese singer-songwriter Joji. It serves as a follow-up to 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 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 chart.

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)		 Nectar
(2020)
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

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] The album has since been certified gold as of 16 January 2020.[17]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Pitchfork6.7/10[1]
Rolling Stone[18]
Highsnobiety3.0/5.0[19]

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 on to 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.[20] 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."[21]

Rap and R&B blogs, the two genres which are the primary demographic of Miller,[22] 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.[23] HotNewHipHop gave the project a "Very Hot" rating, calling the project "smooth."[24] RIFF magazine complimented Miller's attempt to expand on his potential and spoke on its "array of soundscapes."[25]

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" 
3:29
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[26]2:54
7."Why Am I Still in LA" (featuring Shlohmo and D33J) 
3:19
8."No Fun" 
2:48
9."Come Thru" Shlohmo2:33
10."R.I.P." (featuring Trippie Redd)
  • Miller
  • Michael White IV
2:38
11."XNXX"
  • Miller
  • John Durham
  • Joji
  • Durham
2:07
12."I'll See You in 40" Joji4:13
Total length:35:06

Notes

    Personnel

    Credits adapted from Tidal.[27]

    Charts

    Certifications
    Region CertificationCertified units/sales
    United Kingdom (BPI)[41] Silver 60,000
    United States (RIAA)[42] Gold 500,000

    Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

    References
    1. 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. 28 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
    4. "Trippie Redd & Joji Will Do Anything For You On "R.I.P."". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
    5. Herman, Tamar. "Joji Talks 'Ballads 1' And How His Music Is Just The Start". Forbes. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
    6. "The Deed Has Been Done: An Interview With Joji". Complex. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
    7. Jambino (18 September 2018). "Joji Interview – BBC Radio 1 (Annie Mac)". Retrieved 27 October 2018.
    8. "Joji 'Yeah Right is a song for ugly people'". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 July 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
    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. 27 October 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
    12. "Joji Drops New Song 'Yeah Right'". PigeonsandPlanes. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
    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 14 April 2019.
    17. "Gold & Platinum - RIAA". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
    18. Leight, Elias (29 October 2018). "Review: Joji Masters Self-Deprecating Pop on 'Ballads 1'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
    19. "Joji's 'BALLADS 1' Is a Soul-Baring Near-Classic with On-Point Production". Highsnobiety. 29 October 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
    20. "Joji: BALLADS 1 Album Review | Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
    21. Leight, Elias (29 October 2018). "Review: Joji Masters Self-Deprecating Pop on 'Ballads 1'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
    22. "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 1 November 2018.
    23. "Joji's 'BALLADS 1' Album Review: A Soul-Baring Near-Classic". Highsnobiety.com. 1 November 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
    24. "Joji Releases His Ultra Smooth Debut Album "BALLADS 1"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
    25. "ALBUM REVIEW: Joji pursues his potential with 'Ballads 1' | RIFF Magazine". riffmagazine.com. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
    26. Kenneally, Cerys (9 May 2018). "Joji reveals dreamy, R&B infused track "yeah right"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
    27. "BALLADS 1 | Joji". Tidal. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
    28. "Australiancharts.com – Joji – Ballads 1". Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
    29. "Ultratop.be – Joji – Ballads 1" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
    30. "Tory Lanez Releases 2nd Hit Album In Seven Month Stretch". FYIMusicNews. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
    31. "Dutchcharts.nl – Joji – Ballads 1" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
    32. "Irish-charts.com – Discography Joji". Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
    33. "Charts.nz – Joji – Ballads 1". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
    34. "VG-lista – Topp 40 Album uke 49, 2018". VG-lista. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
    35. "Swedishcharts.com – Joji – Ballads 1". Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
    36. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
    37. "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
    38. Caulfield, Keith (4 November 2018). "Andrea Bocelli Earns First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Si'". Billboard. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
    39. "Joji's 'Ballads 1' Debuts at No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart". Billboard.
    40. "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
    41. "British album certifications – Joji – Ballads 1". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 23 August 2020. Select albums in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Ballads 1 in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
    42. "American album certifications – Joji – Ballads 1". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 16 January 2020. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH. 
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