Smithereens (album)

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Smithereens
Black And Teal And Mint With Noise Effect Textless cover art for “Smithereens”
Studio album by
Joji
Released4 November 2022 (2022-11-04)
GenreLo-fi[1]
Length24:19
Label
Producer
Joji chronology
Nectar
(2020) 		Smithereens
(2022)
Singles from Smithereens
  1. "Glimpse of Us"
    Released: 10 June 2022
  2. "Yukon (Interlude)"
    Released: 26 August 2022
  3. "Die for You"
    Released: 4 November 2022

Smithereens is the third studio album by Japanese singer-songwriter Joji, released on 4 November 2022, through 88rising and Warner Records.[2] It was preceded by the singles "Glimpse of Us" and "Yukon (Interlude)". Joji toured North America in promotion of the record from September 2022 to 2023.[3]

Background[edit]

The album is divided into two sides, with the first side containing "introspective ballads", while the second side, co-produced by Joji, contains "lo-fi, D.I.Y. sounds".[1] Joji announced the Smithereens Tour over two months ahead of the album alongside the release of the lead single "Glimpse of Us",[4] before officially announcing the album title and release date on 26 August 2022.[2]

Promotion[edit]

Singles[edit]

"Glimpse of Us" was released as the lead single from Smithereens on 10 June 2022, alongside its accompanying music video, directed by Dan Streit.[4] The song subsequently peaked atop the charts in Australia and New Zealand.[5]

"Yukon (Interlude)" was released as the second single, alongside the official announcement of the album on 26 August 2022. Its music video was released on the same day, directed by BRTHR.[6]

"Die for You" was released as the third and final single on 4 November 2022, alongside the album's release. Its music video was released on the same day, directed by Actual Objects.[7]

Tour[edit]

On June 10, 2022, Joji announced the first leg of the Smithereens Tour, in support of the album. It began on September 1, 2022, and ended on August 17, 2023.[8][9]

Critical reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[10]
Clash8/10[11]
The Line of Best Fit5/10[12]

Smithereens received generally positive reviews from music critics. Alex Nguyen of The Line of Best Fit complimented Joji's "vulnerability" and his "vocal performance" on "Glimpse of Us", but found the album overall to have "the same consistency problems as Nectar", "whether it's an underdeveloped track or one that meanders in a directionless fashion", along with being "less sonically adventurous than its predecessor, instead sticking to Miller's usual hazy synths and drum machines". Nguyen concluded that Smithereens has "the capacity to be great but stumbles due to run-of-the-mill production [and] impassive vocal delivery."[12]

Neil Z. Yeung from AllMusic wrote, "Clocking in at under 30 minutes, Smithereens is the perfect length to wallow in sadness before wiping off the tears and carrying on. It's not the happiest of experiences, but it is his most mature and relatable statement to date."[10]

Reviewing the album for Clash, James Mellen wrote that "Joji consistently reinvents himself and truly proves himself as one of the most interesting artists in the alternative, 'anti' pop sphere", calling the album a "concise, refined slice of that classic Joji sound, elevated by stronger songwriting and production choices".[11]

Track listing[edit]

The album is divided into two parts, with five tracks on the first "part", and four on the second.

Smithereens Part 1
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Glimpse of Us"
C. McDonough3:53
2."Feeling Like the End"
  • Randolph
  • Whethan
1:42
3."Die for You"
  • Ray
  • Singerman
  • Taydex
3:31
4."Before the Day Is Over"
Parker3:33
5."Dissolve"
  • Benjamin Bailey
  • Derrell Jackson
  • Suburban Plaza
  • Suburban Plaza
  • Bailey
2:57
Total length:15:36
Smithereens Part 2
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
6."Night Rider"
Joji2:07
7."BlahBlahBlah Demo"
  • Miller
  • Aaron Reyes
  • Wonton Jesus
  • Reyes
  • Wonton Jesus
2:22
8."Yukon (Interlude)"
  • Miller
  • Sleator
  • Joji
  • Sleator
2:21
9."1AM Freestyle"
  • Christopher Cleere
  • Daniel Krieger
  • Daniel Tannenbaum
  • Joseph Verdi
  • Marius Feder
  • Sergiu Gherman
  • Tyler Mehlenbacher
  • Vincent Verdi
1:53
Total length:8:43

Personnel[edit]

  • Joji – vocals
  • Dale Becker – mastering
  • Jeff Ellis – mixing (1, 3, 4)
  • Tristan Hoogland – mixing (2, 5–9)
  • Trevor Taylor – mix engineering (1)
  • Francisco "Frankie" Ramirez – recording (all tracks), vocal mixing (4–9)
  • Noah McCorkle – mastering assistance (1, 3–9)
  • Connor Hedge – mastering assistance (1, 2)
  • Katie Harvey – mastering assistance (2–9)
  • Ivan Handwerk – mixing assistance (1, 3, 4)
  • Hamish Patrick – mixing assistance (2, 5–9)
  • Joe Begalla – mixing assistance (2, 5–9)

Charts[edit]

Weekly chart performance for Smithereens
Chart (2022–2023) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[13] 3
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[14] 18
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[15] 27
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[16] 74
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[17] 3
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[18] 25
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[19] 23
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[20] 12
French Albums (SNEP)[21] 61
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[22] 49
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[23] 15
Irish Albums (OCC)[24] 15
Italian Albums (FIMI)[25] 53
Lithuanian Albums (AGATA)[26] 2
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[27] 3
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[28] 4
Scottish Albums (OCC)[29] 29
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[30] 28
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[31] 11
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[32] 29
UK Albums (OCC)[33] 13
US Billboard 200[34] 5
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[35] 1
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[36] 1

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Kearns, Sarah (4 November 2022). "Joji Introduces Lo-Fi Sounds to His Crooning Ballads on New Album 'Smithereens'". Hypebeast. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  2. ^ a b Abanes, Mariel (26 August 2022). "Joji announces November release of new album, 'Smithereens'". NME. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  3. ^ Basbas, Judine (26 August 2022). "Joji drops new single 'Yukon (Interlude)', announces new album". Bandwagon Asia. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  4. ^ a b Helfand, Rapahel (10 June 2022). "Joji announces North American tour, shares 'Glimpse of Us'". The Fader. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  5. ^ "Joji – Glimpse of Us". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  6. ^ Caraan, Sophie (26 August 2022). "Joji Announces New Album 'Smithereens,' Shares New Single "Yukon (Interlude)"". Hypebeast. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  7. ^ Chow, Aaron (8 November 2022). "Joji Releases Music Video for Melancholic Track "Die For You"". Hypebeast. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  8. ^ "Joji announces North American tour, shares "Glimpse of Us"". The Fader. 10 June 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  9. ^ "Joji's Ambient New Album Drops With Spring Tour Dates". V. 7 November 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  10. ^ a b Yeung, Neil Z. "Joji – Smithereens Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  11. ^ a b Mellen, James (8 November 2022). "Joji impresses with downcast, emphatically creative 'Smithereens'". Clash. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  12. ^ a b Nguyen, Alex (3 November 2022). "Joji: Smithereens Review – transparency with familiarity feels underdeveloped". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  13. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Joji – Smithereens". Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  14. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Joji – Smithereens" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  15. ^ "Ultratop.be – Joji – Smithereens" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  16. ^ "Ultratop.be – Joji – Smithereens" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  17. ^ "Billboard Canadian Albums: Week of November 19, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  18. ^ "Danishcharts.dk – Joji – Smithereens". Hung Medien. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  19. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Joji – Smithereens" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  20. ^ "Joji: Smithereens" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  21. ^ "Lescharts.com – Joji – Smithereens". Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  22. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Joji – Smithereens" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  23. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2023. 20. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  24. ^ "Official Irish Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  25. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Joji – Smithereens". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  26. ^ "2022 45-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 11 November 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  27. ^ "Charts.nz – Joji – Smithereens". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  28. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Joji – Smithereens". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  29. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  30. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Joji – Smithereens". Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  31. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Joji – Smithereens". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  32. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Joji – Smithereens". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  33. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  34. ^ Caulfield, Keith (13 November 2022). "Drake & 21 Savage's 'Her Loss' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  35. ^ "Alternative Albums: Week of November 19, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  36. ^ "Joji Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
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