Joji — SMITHEREENS — Album Review
Alternative | Indie | R&B
Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Music
Joji is an artist that I’ve had a very interesting history of knowing. Not that I know him personally, but I obviously knew of his past as YouTube comedian Filthy Frank. So with that being said, him strolling down a different avenue, that being into the world of making serious music, was a polarising pill to swallow.
Nevertheless, I have swallowed said metaphorical pill, and have made it to the other side in which I can now enjoy George Miller for the musical project that is Joji.
My newfound appreciation towards the artist was primarily thanks to his debut album NECTAR, released towards the end of 2020. Of course, I had listened to and enjoyed some of his material that dated back to before the album, and even witnessed a stellar live performance at Reading Festival (I recall it being in 2019).
But for NECTAR especially, it really presented George Miller as a jack-of-all-trades, so to speak, and I was able to quickly realise the sheer versatility of talents that this individual as under their belt.
And as to be expected, after the impact that NECTAR made, Joji clearly wanted to take the time to put the same amount of passion into his next project, which makes up the most vital part of Joji’s musical 2022, as we know know.
In regards to his brand new album, titled SMITHEREENS, the teasing for it seemed intentionally scarce, but not non-existent, as to clearly not give too much away.
The first sign of a new album that we got, was a single release in the form of “Glimpse of Us”. Being the first single release since “Daylight” (the final teaser to herald the arrival of NECTAR), it was beautiful enough to stand as its own track, and still make an impact without the help of being on a larger project. Nevertheless, I’m still more than glad that it led up to something bigger.
The only other teaser that listeners got for SMITHEREENS was titled “YUKON (INTERLUDE)”. But this was a far more clear confirmation that an album was coming. After all, releasing an interlude without the prospect of it being on a larger project is virtually unheard of.
The album as a whole, now that it’s finally here, is structurally a very interesting case, while it is presented to us as a double album (visually represented by the change in the lettering characterisation in the songs titles), the entire project gives us nine tracks, and a runtime of under 25 minutes. So that being said, it’s by far one of the shortest double albums I’ve heard.
Nevertheless, this doesn’t necessarily detract from the overall enjoyment of the project. In fact, I actually appreciated the fact that SMITHEREENS is such an easy listen in regards to its duration. Besides, its amazing atmosphere still allows the album to feel like a generous experience of sorts.
I think that Joji has really manage to carve out what makes his music so unique and gripping, as the mellow vibrance is absolutely rife on this album. And for those (like myself) who really enjoyed NECTAR, SMITHEREENS almost feels like an extension of said album, while still having the edge to make it stand out.
The fact that I am dishing out this album review so soon suggests that my thoughts on the project were made clear in a very swift manner. That assumption would be totally correct, as it took me no time at all to realise that this project slaps!
Favourite Tracks: Glimpse of Us | Feeling Like The End | Dissolve | NIGHT RIDER
Least Favourite Track: Before The Day Is Over
88rising Records | Warner Records
