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

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. 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-wrenching" 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

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Highsnobiety3/5[19]
Pitchfork6.7/10[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.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[27]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 II
2:38
11."XNXX"
  • Miller
  • John Durham
  • Joji
  • Durham
2:07
12."I'll See You in 40" Joji4:13
Total length:35:06

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[28]

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for Ballads 1
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[46] Platinum 80,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[47] Gold 10,000‡
Singapore (RIAS)[48] Gold 5,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[49] Gold 100,000‡
United States (RIAA)[50] Platinum 1,000,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. 1 2 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. ↑ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved 2022-01-07.
  4. ↑ "Joji's 'BALLADS 1' Album: Stream It Here". Highsnobiety. 28 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  5. ↑ "Trippie Redd & Joji Will Do Anything For You On "R.I.P."". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  6. 1 2 Herman, Tamar. "Joji Talks 'Ballads 1' And How His Music Is Just The Start". Forbes. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  7. 1 2 "The Deed Has Been Done: An Interview With Joji". Complex. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  8. ↑ Jambino (18 September 2018). "Joji Interview – BBC Radio 1 (Annie Mac)". YouTube. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  9. ↑ "Joji 'Yeah Right is a song for ugly people'". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 July 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  10. ↑ Skelton, Eric (12 September 2018). "Joji Drops "Slow Dancing in the Dark" Video and Announces 'BALLADS 1' Album". Complex. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  11. ↑ Moen, Matt (12 September 2018). "Joji Has a Rough Night in 'Slow Dancing in the Dark'". Paper Magazine. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  12. ↑ "Joji Is an Emotional Wreck in His Video for "Yeah Right"". Highsnobiety. 27 October 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  13. ↑ "Joji Drops New Song 'Yeah Right'". PigeonsandPlanes. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  14. ↑ Leight, Elias (2 October 2018). "Joji Rollerblades Away From Heartbreak in 'Can't Get Over You' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  15. ↑ Sawyer, Jonathan (16 October 2018). "Joji Shares Video for RL Grime-Produced "TEST DRIVE" From His Debut Album". Highsnobiety. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  16. ↑ Sawyer, Jonathan (29 October 2018). "Joji Is an '80s Rocker in His 'WANTED U' Video". Highsnobiety. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  17. ↑ "Joji's 'Ballads 1' Debuts at No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  18. ↑ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  19. ↑ "Joji's 'BALLADS 1' Is a Soul-Baring Near-Classic with On-Point Production". Highsnobiety. 29 October 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  20. ↑ Leight, Elias (29 October 2018). "Review: Joji Masters Self-Deprecating Pop on 'Ballads 1'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  21. ↑ "Joji: BALLADS 1 Album Review | Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  22. ↑ Leight, Elias (29 October 2018). "Review: Joji Masters Self-Deprecating Pop on 'Ballads 1'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  23. ↑ "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.
  24. ↑ "Joji's 'BALLADS 1' Album Review: A Soul-Baring Near-Classic". Highsnobiety.com. 1 November 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  25. ↑ "Joji Releases His Ultra Smooth Debut Album "BALLADS 1"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  26. ↑ "ALBUM REVIEW: Joji pursues his potential with 'Ballads 1' | RIFF Magazine". riffmagazine.com. 25 October 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  27. ↑ Kenneally, Cerys (9 May 2018). "Joji reveals dreamy, R&B infused track "yeah right"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  28. ↑ "BALLADS 1 | Joji". Tidal. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  29. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Joji – Ballads 1". Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  30. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Joji – Ballads 1" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  31. ↑ "Tory Lanez Releases 2nd Hit Album In Seven Month Stretch". FYIMusicNews. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  32. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Joji – Ballads 1" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  33. ↑ "Album Top 40 slágerlista (fizikai hanghordozók) – 2023. 44. hét". MAHASZ. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  34. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Joji". Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  35. ↑ "2018 44-os SAVAITĖS (spalio 26-lapkričio 1 d.) ALBUMŲ TOP100" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. November 2, 2018. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  36. ↑ "Charts.nz – Joji – Ballads 1". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  37. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Joji – Ballads 1". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  38. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Joji – Ballads 1". Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  39. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  40. ↑ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  41. ↑ Caulfield, Keith (4 November 2018). "Andrea Bocelli Earns First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Si'". Billboard. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  42. ↑ "Joji's 'Ballads 1' Debuts at No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart". Billboard.
  43. ↑ "Tónlistinn – Plötur – 2019" (in Icelandic). Plötutíóindi. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  44. ↑ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  45. ↑ "2022 metų klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  46. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – Joji – Ballads 1". Music Canada. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
  47. ↑ "Danish album certifications – Joji – Ballads 1". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  48. ↑ "Singapore album certifications – Joji – Ballad 1". Recording Industry Association Singapore. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  49. ↑ "British album certifications – Joji – Ballads 1". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  50. ↑ "American album certifications – Joji – Ballads 1". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
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