Ballads 1
BALLADS 1 | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 26 October 2018 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 35:06 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer | ||||
Joji chronology | ||||
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Singles from BALLADS 1 | ||||
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BALLADS 1 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. The album was certified platinum by the RIAA in October 2021.[3]
Composition and writing
BALLADS 1 is primarily produced by Joji himself[4] and features only one vocal feature, with Trippie Redd appearing on "R.I.P."[5] 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."[6] 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".[7]
The focus of the project is ballads, according to Joji;[6] 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"[8] and that are powerful, set a new direction but keep "Joji roots" he established on In Tongues.[7]
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".[9]
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".[10] An accompanying music video directed by Jared Hogan was released the same day.[11] The lead single, "YEAH RIGHT" had been released on 8 May 2018.[12] It was released with a music video and was produced by Joji.[13]
"CAN'T GET OVER YOU" was released on 2 October 2018 with an accompanying video directed by Miller and SAINT.[14] 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.[15]
A music video for "WANTED U" was released on 29 October 2018, directed by Michael La Burt.[16]
Commercial performance
BALLADS 1 debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200, with 57,000 album-equivalent units.[17] The album has since been certified gold as of 16 January 2020.[18]
Critical reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Highsnobiety | 3/5[19] |
Pitchfork | 6.7/10[1] |
Rolling Stone | [20] |
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.[21] 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."[22]
Rap and R&B blogs, the two genres which are the primary demographic of Miller,[23] 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.[24] HotNewHipHop gave the project a "Very Hot" rating, calling the project "smooth."[25] RIFF magazine complimented Miller's attempt to expand on his potential and spoke on its "array of soundscapes."[26]
Track listing
All tracks are written by George Miller, except where noted
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Attention" | Joji | 2:08 | |
2. | "Slow Dancing in the Dark" |
| 3:29 | |
3. | "Test Drive" | RL Grime | 2:59 | |
4. | "Wanted U" | Joji | 4:11 | |
5. | "Can't Get Over You" (featuring Clams Casino) | 1:47 | ||
6. | "Yeah Right" | Joji[27] | 2:54 | |
7. | "Why Am I Still in LA" (featuring Shlohmo and D33J) | 3:19 | ||
8. | "No Fun" |
| 2:48 | |
9. | "Come Thru" | Shlohmo | 2:33 | |
10. | "R.I.P." (featuring Trippie Redd) |
|
| 2:38 |
11. | "XNXX" |
|
| 2:07 |
12. | "I'll See You in 40" | Joji | 4:13 | |
Total length: | 35:06 |
Personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.[28]
Technical
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Musicians
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Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[44] | Gold | 10,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[45] | Silver | 60,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[46] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
References
- ^ a b Blais-Billie, Braudie (31 October 2018). "Joji: BALLADS 1 Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
- ^ "BALLADS 1 by Joji on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
- ^ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved 2022-01-07.
- ^ "Joji's 'BALLADS 1' Album: Stream It Here". Highsnobiety. 28 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ "Trippie Redd & Joji Will Do Anything For You On "R.I.P."". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ a b Herman, Tamar. "Joji Talks 'Ballads 1' And How His Music Is Just The Start". Forbes. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
- ^ a b "The Deed Has Been Done: An Interview With Joji". Complex. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
- ^ Jambino (18 September 2018). "Joji Interview – BBC Radio 1 (Annie Mac)". Retrieved 27 October 2018.
- ^ "Joji 'Yeah Right is a song for ugly people'". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 July 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
- ^ Skelton, Eric (12 September 2018). "Joji Drops "Slow Dancing in the Dark" Video and Announces 'BALLADS 1' Album". Complex. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
- ^ Moen, Matt (12 September 2018). "Joji Has a Rough Night in 'Slow Dancing in the Dark'". Paper Magazine. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
- ^ "Joji Is an Emotional Wreck in His Video for "Yeah Right"". Highsnobiety. 27 October 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
- ^ "Joji Drops New Song 'Yeah Right'". PigeonsandPlanes. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
- ^ Leight, Elias (2 October 2018). "Joji Rollerblades Away From Heartbreak in 'Can't Get Over You' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
- ^ Sawyer, Jonathan (16 October 2018). "Joji Shares Video for RL Grime-Produced "TEST DRIVE" From His Debut Album". Highsnobiety. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
- ^ Sawyer, Jonathan (29 October 2018). "Joji Is an '80s Rocker in His 'WANTED U' Video". Highsnobiety. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
- ^ "Joji's 'Ballads 1' Debuts at No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- ^ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
- ^ "Joji's 'BALLADS 1' Is a Soul-Baring Near-Classic with On-Point Production". Highsnobiety. 29 October 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
- ^ Leight, Elias (29 October 2018). "Review: Joji Masters Self-Deprecating Pop on 'Ballads 1'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
- ^ "Joji: BALLADS 1 Album Review | Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
- ^ Leight, Elias (29 October 2018). "Review: Joji Masters Self-Deprecating Pop on 'Ballads 1'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Joji's 'BALLADS 1' Album Review: A Soul-Baring Near-Classic". Highsnobiety.com. 1 November 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
- ^ "Joji Releases His Ultra Smooth Debut Album "BALLADS 1"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
- ^ "ALBUM REVIEW: Joji pursues his potential with 'Ballads 1' | RIFF Magazine". riffmagazine.com. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
- ^ Kenneally, Cerys (9 May 2018). "Joji reveals dreamy, R&B infused track "yeah right"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- ^ "BALLADS 1 | Joji". Tidal. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – Joji – Ballads 1". Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Joji – Ballads 1" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
- ^ "Tory Lanez Releases 2nd Hit Album In Seven Month Stretch". FYIMusicNews. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Joji – Ballads 1" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
- ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Joji". Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
- ^ "2018 44-os SAVAITĖS (spalio 26-lapkričio 1 d.) ALBUMŲ TOP100" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. November 2, 2018. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
- ^ "Charts.nz – Joji – Ballads 1". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
- ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Joji – Ballads 1". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Joji – Ballads 1". Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
- ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith (4 November 2018). "Andrea Bocelli Earns First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Si'". Billboard. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
- ^ "Joji's 'Ballads 1' Debuts at No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart". Billboard.
- ^ "Tónlistinn – Plötur – 2019" (in Icelandic). Plötutíóindi. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
- ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
- ^ "Danish album certifications – Joji – Ballads 1". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
- ^ "British album certifications – Joji – Ballads 1". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- ^ "American album certifications – Joji – Ballads 1". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 10, 2021.