Ballads 1

## ***Ballads 1***Studio album by Joji

### Producer(s)

Rogét Chahayed, Clams Casino, D33J, John Durham, Ryan Hemsworth, Jam City, George Miller, RL Grime, Shlohmo, Thundercat, Patrick Wimberly

## Singles

1. "Yeah Right"
Released: 8 May 2018
2. "Slow Dancing In The Dark"
Released: 12 September 2018
3. "Can't Get Over You"
Released: 2 October 2018
4. "Test Drive"
Released: 16 October 2018

***Ballads 1*** (stylized in all caps) is the debut studio album by Joji. It was released through 88rising & 12Tone on 26 October 2018. It features the singles "Yeah Right", "Slow Dancing In The Dark", "Can't Get Over You" and "Test Drive" , as well as collaborations with Clams Casino, Shlohmo, D33J and Trippie Redd.

## Background

Ballads 1 is primarily produced by Joji himself and features only one vocal feature, with Trippie Redd appearing on "R.I.P." 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." The project ranges from songs that are "heart-wretching" and sometimes more cheerful to capture the feeling that "no one's sad all the time".
The focus of the project is ballads, according to Joji; 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", set a new direction but keep "Joji roots" he established on In Tongues.
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".
Ballads 1 debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200 as well as number one on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, with 57,000 album-equivalent units. The album has since been certified gold as of January 16th, 2020.

## Singles

The first and lead single, "Yeah Right", was released on May 8, 2018.
The second single, "Slow Dancing in the Dark", was released on September 12, 2018.
The third single, "Can't Get Over You", was released on October 2, 2018.
The fourth and final single, "Test Drive", was released on October 26, 2018, same day as the album.

## Promotion

Ballads 1 was announced on September 12, 2018, alongside the album's second single "Slow Dancing in the Dark". The album's release date, cover artwork and track listing were revealed the same day as the release of "Can't Get Over You".
A music video for "Wanted U" was released on 29 October 2018, directed by Michael La Burt.

## Commercial Performance

*Ballads 1* debuted at number 3 on the *Billboard* 200, with 57,000 album-equivalent units. The album has since been certified gold as of January 16th, 2020

## Critical reception

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. 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."
Rap and R&B blogs, the two genres which are the primary demographic of Miller, 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. HotNewHipHop gave the project a "Very Hot" rating, calling the project "smooth." RIFF magazine complimented Miller's attempt to expand on his potential and spoke on its "array of soundscapes.