Ballads 1
2018 album by Joji
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ballads 1 is the debut studio album by Japanese-Australian singer-songwriter Joji. The album 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]
| Ballads 1 | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 26 October 2018 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 35:10 | |||
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| Producer | ||||
| Joji chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Ballads 1 | ||||
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Composition and writing
Ballads 1 is primarily produced by Joji himself[4] and contains only one guest 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
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 | 2:09 | |
| 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) | 3:20 | ||
| 8. | "No Fun" | 2:48 | ||
| 9. | "Come Thru" | Shlohmo | 2:33 | |
| 10. | "R.I.P." (featuring Trippie Redd) |
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| 2:39 |
| 11. | "XNXX" |
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| 2:07 |
| 12. | "I'll See You in 40" | Joji | 4:14 | |
| Total length: | 35:10 | |||
Personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.[28]
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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 |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[46] | Platinum | 80,000‡ |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[47] | Gold | 10,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[48] | Platinum | 15,000‡ |
| Singapore (RIAS)[49] | Gold | 5,000* |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[50] | Gold | 100,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[51] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
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* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||