While Joji fails to push boundaries in terms of lyrical content or sonic palette, he does succeed in creating a fairly compelling mood that invites listeners to wallow with him. In “Pills,” he parrots the clichés of any R&B breakup song birthed from Soundcloud: “I need you back,” flanked by mentions of Xanax and Zoloft.
He shame-spirals in the dizzy “ Will He,” while wondering about his ex-girl’s new man.
But lyrically, he circles around aimlessly with typical sad-boy subject matter: heartbreak, regret, and drugs. Joji adeptly peels off the pretense of his inane YouTube persona and reveals something tender and slightly more complex underneath. And because Joji is a boy of the internet, it’s unsurprising that he seems to be most influenced by cloud-rap producers Shlohmo and Clams Casino-as evidenced by his emphasis on hazy atmosphere, organic samples, and lo-fi drums. His voice pulsates with soft and woozy vocal chops on top of minimal piano chords, like so many James Blake acolytes before him.
His debut EP, In Tongues, marks a natural progression into a more serious take on musicianship from a former internet comedian. He now writes and produces brooding downtempo R&B that exhibits a newfound introspection and sincerity. And so naturally, Joji’s trying to break out of the internet box.
