Andrew’s Judgmental Album Reviews: Joji – Smithereens (2022)

Now this is a little different, since Joji started off as the Millenial era YouTube creator Filthy Frank and created the true savior of the rap game with the most political clarity, Pink Guy. Going from the filthiest of Francis named individuals what I’ve heard from his more serious solo work is really good Depression Syth Pop. So he’s still very much making relatable Millenial content.

Obviously I’m not expecting an random switch back to Pink Season but being someone who has enjoy most of his content in general. It’s only fair that I give this album a fair shake.

• Artist: Joji
• Album: Smithereens (2022)
• Label: 88rising – Warner
• Total Track Time: 24:23

Glimpse of Us surprisingly opens with light piano. So the chorus and the arrangement are surprisingly sparse yet beautiful. The lamenting piano soloist in the club is the perfect imagery to evoke with this..” ‘Cause sometimes, I look in her eyes, And that’s where I find a glimpse of us, And I try to fall for her touch, But I’m thinkin’ of the way it was, Said I’m fine and said I moved on, I’m only here passing time in her arms, Hopin’ I’ll find a glimpse of us” – the concept of connecting little aspects of a current significant other to a previous relationship. Its haunting, beautiful and cynical since he pines for the glimpses more than the present situation. Feeling Like The End is odd since it uses that click track aspect I’m really not a huge fan of in more modern pop music. There’s a solid bassline and it lyrically it maintains in that reminiscent section of the mind. Not bad for a short song, just not sure what it was supposed to achieve. Die For You so smithereens must be describing his heart or mental state. Since these first songs are really hung up on an ex, but this one; much like the first, are hauntingly beautiful with very strong relatable verses. “I hopе you’re getting evеrything you needed, Found the puzzle piece and feel completed, Just wanted you to know every reason, Hope you really know that I mean that, I couldn’t see the forest from the trees, Only time we speak is in my dreams” – mistakes that go unforgiven is a guilt that gnaws forever.

Before the Day is Over this is a wonderful Depression Pop song as well. Concepts of trying to give the significant other space, but wanting to know what’s wrong while not seemingly like a pushy burden. Wanting to be let in before the day is over, is tragic yet evocative imagery. Dissolve is another failed relationship song with interesting strings and synth effects. Recounting a relationship that has lost its spark with both people stuck in different places; but just waiting for the relationship to dissolve naturally. Ethereal yet sullen, its great imagery. NIGHT RIDER is a shift in the sound and messaging, which is also indicated by splitting the album into a Disc 1 and Disc 2, with this being the first of Disc 2. Imagery is more on the loner and cool angle, looking to get someone to conform to his desire for an adventurous life.

BLAHBLAHBLAH DEMO is very interesting, where the song itself has a total beat switch halfway through. Its a naïve song probably about fame and the aesthetics. Lots of aspects of wanting to be young forever and some of the fast “Hollywood” lifestyle stereotypes. Interesting. YUKON (INTERLUDE) the bulk of this song sounds like taking a long drive to clear your head, or ignore a problem. But he also contradicts the last song with the “I Can’t Be Forever Young”, so it shows a connection in thought process. 1AM FREESTYLE is very simply, a song about the fear of being alone. The arrangement is simple, almost R&B from the 90s influenced, but beautiful. Being tired of madness, sadness and the aspects that push people away…he just doesn’t want to be alone. Ending the song on that line with a somewhat abrupt end, is powerful.

Well there we go, a two Disc, short and sweet album. It’s basically depression cover to cover, but that has been Joji’s style and its written in ways that I feel many of the Millenial/older Zoomer generation can really relate to. Inserting a reasonable gimmick for a few style changes within the album was nice, is shows a bit of range, but still nailing that strife at the end.

Perhaps its because some of the songs hit closer to home than I’d like to admit, or Pink Guy bias, but this is a damn good album.

Final Judgment: 9/10