Just two years after the release of his big-budget sophomore set Nectar, Japanese singer/songwriter Joji dials it back and dives deep on his brisk third LP, Smithereens. Nursing the wounds of lost love, the album is steeped in heartbreak and yearning; however, by tapping into his swirling well of feelings, it becomes a touching and beautiful revelation. The platinum-certified lead single "Glimpse of Us" is the clearest evidence of just how far he's come on his artistic journey: atop sparse piano backing, Joji delivers a devastating, vulnerable performance that is utterly sublime in its production simplicity and emotional depth. The subdued "Before the Day Is Over" and dreamy "Die for You" offer similar opportunities for a good cry. While the brokenhearted yearning washes over all of Smithereens, Joji injects addictive, beat-forward production into the mix to keep it from being too depressing. "NIGHT RIDER" matches ominous droning with digital blips and popping percussion, while "Feeling Like the End" and "BLAHBLAHBLAH DEMO" lighten the mood (somewhat). Meanwhile, standouts such as the skittering, Postal Service-indebted "YUKON (INTERLUDE)" and the lush "1AM FREESTYLE" should please fans of his earlier work. 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.
Neil Z. Yeung. Allmusic.com
