BALLADS 1
| Joji
BALLADS 1
Ballads 1 (stylized in all caps) is the debut studio album by Japanese singer-songwriter Joji. It follows the 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 Records and 12Tone Music. 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. - WIKIPEDIA
Critic Reviews
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Pitchfork
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.
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RollingStone
Ballads 1 is elegiac and prettily pout-faced; Miller used to make you cringe, Joji makes you cry.
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HIGHSNOBIETY
‘BALLADS 1’ Is a Soul-Baring Near-Classic with On-Point Production.
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Northern Transmissions
Though it’s not quite revolutionary, there’s definitely a strong enough personality to let this complete the record without feeling trite.
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RiFF magazine
While he does recycle some flows, Ballads 1 sports an array of soundscapes and catchy hooks for some convincingly heartfelt lyrics.
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Medium
Every track in this album differs from one another, but still contains Miller’s presented elements that he’s catered to in the past.
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The Musical Hype
The vibes are real.
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ACRN.com
His lyrics cut deep into the issues he deals with on a daily basis, focusing mainly on his feelings of loneliness and losing someone he once loved.
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The Gateway
On his debut album, Joji treads new ground at the expense of a cohesive sound.
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New University
His album has the sad ambiance of a quarter life crisis, but the eclectic music paired with the painfully relatable lyrics makes you feel alive.
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sputnik music
the record is masterful in its lense of downtempo pop flairs and confident in its place within the music realm.
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THE LANTERN
“BALLADS 1” is an improvement from an already decent EP and shows Joji is very serious about his music.
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vibeRANT
You might know him as George Miller, maybe even Filthy Frank or Pink Guy, but I know him as Joji; I think after this album you’ll be addressing him as I do.
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HYPEBEAST
The album is told from multiple perspectives, based on both people in Joji’s life and imagined.
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IMMORTAL REVIEWS
this album of emotional, moody, and chill tracks will keep you thinking until the next release comes.
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the collegian
‘BALLADS 1’ uses smooth tones to process pain in relationships.
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MSU Reporter
No matter who you are or what you’ve went through in your life, Joji has a song that will hit you emotionally.”
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byte
Joji weaves into what seems to be every song make an impact on any audience.
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HALF-PAST
Ballads 1 is the perfect title for this collection of twelve beautiful crafted and heartbreakingly personal songs.
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IOWA STATE DAILY
“BALLADS 1,” is superbly produced and features George “Joji” Miller showing off why he is the label 88rising’s golden boy.
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THE PHOENIX
“Ballads 1” is a small but meaningful step in the right direction for Joji.
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Blue Jay online
Most of the time I can pick out a track or two that I vibe with, throw them in a playlist, and forget about the album, but this one will make it on to my car stereo late at night when I’m driving home from work.
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WIUX
In the future, I hope Joji can commit more to one sound (especially if it’s like Chloe Burbank) and really try to develop as an artist because this new project doesn’t feel like a step forward.
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burbs
'BALLADS 1' is a sonic improvement on all fronts.
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THIRSTKEY
This is a flawed project. I’d even go so far as to say very flawed at points. But I really liked it.
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hnhh
delivering an ultra smooth 12-song collection.
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Deviant Art
An astounding freshman album from an internet sensation turned musician.
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Zero Ash
the album was quite uninteresting and lacking dynamic except the first three tracks.
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LIVE WIRE
Ballads 1 as a product is so unbelievably average and so ridiculously forgettable that it makes me sad, because it’s making me realise that Joji is a bit of a one-trick pony.
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POPTIZED MAGAZINE
joji is beginning to bloom as an artist, like a dark flower.
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The Corvallis Review
His album, in the end, leaves a heartfelt, profound and lasting image.
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Broadway World
Joji has unlocked an ambitious new sound and style that's uniquely his own.
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The Goon Report
There’s a difference between making great art and having your head screwed on in regards to your art – on ‘Ballads 1’, Joji definitely has his head screwed on.
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Barely Influential
the album is filled to the brim with slow, lush ballads.
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Daily Lobo
“BALLADS1” is a testament to Joji’s progression as an artist, moving on from his previous platform on YouTube to the music industry.
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AFFINITY
Joji’s Ballads 1 is a carefully crafted masterpiece that serves as a gift from Joji to us.
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90.7 The Capstone
A SHOWCASE OF TORMENTED INTIMACY.
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HEARTS
This truly is contemporary music for the modern hip-hop age.
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Mandalay Social Club
Joji is not far away from this point early in his music career, and I am excited to hear what Joji brings in the future.
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wattpad
Joji is stuck with sad boy vibe, and pulls it off well.
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The Chicago Maroon
Ballads 1 does feel like a major step forward for Joji, despite its inconsistencies and excesses.
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byte
Soulful sound inside unexpected instrumentation.
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