Ballads 1
|Ballads 1|
|Studio album by|
|Released||26 October 2018|
|Genre|
|Length||35:06|
|Label|
|Producer|
|Joji chronology|
|In Tongues||Ballads 1||Nectar|
(2017)
(2018)
(2020)
- "Yeah Right"
Released: 8 May 2018
- "Slow Dancing in the Dark"
Released: 12 September 2018
- "Can't Get Over You"
Released: 2 October 2018
- "Test Drive"
Released: 16 October 2018
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.
Composition and writing[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
|Review scores|
|Source||Rating|
|Pitchfork||6.7/10[1]|
|Rolling Stone||[18]|
|Highsnobiety||3.0/5.0[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[edit]
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[26]||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|
- Miller
- Michael White IV
- Miller
- John Durham
- Joji
- Durham
Notes
Personnel[edit]
Credits adapted from Tidal.[27]
Technical
- Henry Laufer – mixing (7), recording (7, 9)
- Francisco "Frankie" Ramirez – mixing (1, 3–5, 8–12), recording (1, 3, 4, 8–10), mastering (11)
- Alison McGuire – mixing (12), recording (12)
- George Miller – recording (4, 5)
- John Durham – recording (10, 11)
- Igor Mamet – recording (10)
- Chris Athens – mastering (1–5, 7–10, 12)
- Jenna Felsenthal – assistant (1, 3–5, 8–12)
- Emmanuel "Yizzo" Lemmon – assistant (8, 10, 11)
Musicians
- Patrick Wimberly – additional vocals (2)
Charts[edit]
Certifications[edit]
|Region||Certification||Certified units/sales|
|United Kingdom (BPI)[42]||Silver||60,000|
|United States (RIAA)[43]||Gold||500,000|
References[edit]
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Leight, Elias (29 October 2018). "Review: Joji Masters Self-Deprecating Pop on 'Ballads 1'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
- ^ "Joji's 'BALLADS 1' Is a Soul-Baring Near-Classic with On-Point Production". Highsnobiety. 29 October 2018. 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.
- ^ "VG-lista – Topp 40 Album uke 49, 2018". VG-lista. 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.
- ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.