''Smithereens'' is the third studio album by Japanese singer-songwriter Joji, released on 4 November 2022 via

88rising 88rising (stylized as 88⬆), formerly known as CXSHXNLY (pronounced “cash only”), is an American music company that founder Sean Miyashiro describes as a "hybrid management, record label, video production, and marketing company". The compa ...

and

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. It was preceded by the singles "

Glimpse of Us "Glimpse of Us" is a song by Japanese singer Joji, released as the lead single from his third studio album '' Smithereens'' on 10 June 2022 through 88rising and Warner Records. It was written by Alexis Kesselman, Castle, Riley McDonough, and prod ...

" and "Yukon (Interlude)". Joji is touring North America in promotion of the record from September 2022.

Background

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 Lo-fi (also typeset as lofi or low-fi; short for low fidelity) is a music or production quality in which elements usually regarded as imperfections in the context of a recording or performance are present, sometimes as a deliberate choice. The ...

, D.I.Y. sounds". Joji announced the Smithereens Tour over two months ahead of the album alongside the release of the lead single "Glimpse of Us", before officially announcing the album title and release date on 26 August 2022.

Singles

" was released as the lead single from ''Smithereens'' on 10 June 2022. The song subsequently peaked atop the charts in Australia and New Zealand. "Yukon (Interlude)" was released as the second single alongside the official announcement of the album on 26 August 2022. "Die for You" was released as the third single on 4 November 2022, alongside the album's release.

Critical reception

Alex Nguyen of ''

The Line of Best Fit ''The Line of Best Fit'' is an independent online magazine based in London, concentrating on new music. It publishes independent music reviews, features, interview, and media. Founded by Richard Thane in February 2007 and currently edited by P ...

'' 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 Nectar is a sugar-rich liquid produced by plants in glands called nectaries or nectarines, either within the flowers with which it attracts pollinating animals, or by extrafloral nectaries, which provide a nutrient source to animal mutualists ...

''", "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 ndimpassive vocal delivery." Neil Z. Yeung from

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

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." 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".

Track listing

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

Personnel

* 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

References

{{Joji (musician) 2022 albums 88rising albums Joji (musician) albums