Joji's new release, Smithereens has received mixed reviews in comparison to his previous albums. However, on properly analysing one will notice that the album is an enhancement of his production and songwriting skills. The album is a beautiful demonstration of overwhelming heartbreak emotions and classic lofi sounds that Joji is known to be in possession of. Some of the songs in the album have already taken over the social media. Die for you and Glimpse of Us are two which have attained elevated heights. On the other hand, there are certain underrated nuances hidden in the album that are yet to be noticed by the listeners.
The album starts with the track Glimpse of Us, an acoustic ballad accompanied by a piano, which was released as a single a few months prior to the album release. The single was a big hit. It is a melancholic, post-breakup expression of emotions, which the writer is going through in a new relationship. As the name suggests, Joji sings of his past love even as his new lover is making all effort to win his attention. He questions her absence and wonders if his past love also feels the same. Some harmonies and a reverberated chorus make the song melancholic and will make you miss your past lover.
The second track titled, Feeling like the end, is a short trap song. The beat starts with a lofi rhode/jazz guitar kind of melody and is later accompanied by some acoustic guitars on top of trap drums. This is another track in the album, which reminisces on past memories and moments of a relationship. The song has a catchy chorus and the verse is groovy. However, this isn't a groove to which you will feel like dancing. Rather, the beat, composition and lyrics will together have a heavy hold on your heart as you recall the beautiful moments from your past.
The third track is more on the drunken side. It gives the feeling of being in a party and sounds of a song coming from the next room. The name of this track is Die for you, which is another hit from the album and has taken over the social media. One might even term the track as the, Breakup Anthem of the year. Although the song starts with a lofi reverberated piano notes, it starts crashing like an avalanche as soon as the drum comes in. The song speaks of letting go and accepting new beginnings.
The fourth track is where the album kind of deviates from the constant emotion that the first track portrays. The song is another acoustic ballad which is sung over some piano chords. As the song progresses some bass notes and percussion hits are incorporated. The chorus is beautiful with the inclusion of harmonies. The song speaks of intuition of changes that one experiences while being in a relationship. The song speaks of fear of things changing and a heart having to face scenarios for which it is not ready. The song ends with an outro that brings the drum for a short instance.
The fifth track called, Dissolve, starts on top of some acoustic guitar rhythms. The verse starts with Joji's vocals processed with auto tune. The song is dreamy with droplets of piano notes here and there. The backing vocals and harmonies are once again what makes the song catchy. This song speaks of a situation when one is lost in the shenanigans of life and feels a little lost. The song is a quest for oneself amidst complicated moments of one's life.
The next track titled, Night Rider, is another track with incorporation of trap drums. It starts with some eerie lofi vocal hums. The composition of the song is laid back on top of the 808 drums. After the first verse, Joji incorporates a beautiful piano composition. The chorus is once again brilliantly done, with the harmonies giving the signature chorus sound. The track is short, lasting a duration of 127 seconds. The song speaks of trying to escape in search of better days, moments and situations. The song, however, lacks the same gravitas that the other songs in the album holds.
The following track titled, Blajblahblah Demo, is a chilled laid-back song. One can enjoy this song as one chills over a couple drinks. The song is hopeful and delusional at the same time. Joji speaks of himself and his lover belonging to each other. He speaks of putting efforts one more time to keep alive what they used to have. The production has some variations, which surely allows the listener to experience certain mixed emotions. Joji layered the track with emo sounding guitars and low frequency snare drum sounds. The song is well crafted in terms of arrangement and composition.
The eighth track called Yukon comes in as an interlude to the album. It starts with some grand piano notes. The verse starts right off. Some fast-paced trap drums are played after the intro. The progression of the song compliments the lyrics beautifully. Some drum variations are incorporated in the later part of the song. The song is groovy and catchy, the kind of track which one would enjoy while oneis driving alone. The lyrics are overwhelming and speaks of surviving amidst one's own existence. A perfectly done interlude in the album.
In addition, as one might expect, the album does end with an overwhelming modern trap ballad. The ninth track of the album; titled 1 AM Freestyle is an amalgamation of piano, synths, soft choirs, trap drums and harmonies. The song speaks of loneliness that a lover is going through. It speaks of reminiscing on old memories and writing letters amidst the four walls of a room. The composition of this song is one of the best in the album. Joji's multilayered vocals being used as a choir sounding harmony is what makes the track stand out from the other tracks of the album. A perfect end to a melancholic heavy journey.
Overall, the album is well crafted in terms of the emotions it was meant to portray. However, it does leave some loose ends in comparison to his earlier albums.
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