Ballads 1

Last updated
Ballads 1
Joji - Ballads 1.png
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 is the debut studio album by Japanese-Australian singer-songwriter Joji. It serves as a follow-up to the previous year's In Tongues (his first project as Joji) and Pink Season (his only album released under his former alter-ego Pink Guy). Ballads 1 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]

Contents

Composition and writing

Ballads 1 is primarily produced by Joji himself [4] and contains 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]

Promotion

Singles

The lead single, "Yeah Right", was released on 8 May 2018. [10] It was released with a music video and was produced by Joji. [11]

Alongside the announcement for Ballads 1, "Slow Dancing in the Dark" was released on 12 September 2018 as the album's second single. [12] An accompanying music video directed by Jared Hogan was released the same day. [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]

Other songs

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
Highsnobiety 3/5 [19]
Pitchfork 6.7/10 [1]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [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"  Joji 2:08
2."Slow Dancing in the Dark" 
3:29
3."Test Drive"  RL Grime 2:59
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
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [46] Platinum80,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [47] Gold10,000‡
Singapore (RIAS) [48] Gold5,000*
United Kingdom (BPI) [49] Gold100,000‡
United States (RIAA) [50] Platinum1,000,000‡

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

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References

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  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.
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  7. 1 2 "The Deed Has Been Done: An Interview With Joji". Complex. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
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  9. ↑ "Joji 'Yeah Right is a song for ugly people'". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 July 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
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  11. ↑ "Joji Drops New Song 'Yeah Right'". PigeonsandPlanes. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  12. ↑ Skelton, Eric (12 September 2018). "Joji Drops "Slow Dancing in the Dark" Video and Announces 'BALLADS 1' Album". Complex. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  13. ↑ Moen, Matt (12 September 2018). "Joji Has a Rough Night in 'Slow Dancing in the Dark'". Paper Magazine. Retrieved 2 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.
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