The Sound of Music: Joji’s Genre-defying Evolution from SoundCloud to ‘SMITHEREENS’

From his comedic roots as Pink Guy on SoundCloud to creating introspective albums like BALLADS 1 and SMITHEREENS, Joji boasts a uniquely consistent music style, interestingly combining emo rap and melodic trap. Through genre-blurring soundscapes and poignant lyricism, Joji has seamlessly transcended his internet persona, solidifying his position as a compelling force in the global music scene.

Written by Shreya Gummadi

Photo courtesy of Damien Maloney

Joji's evolution from the uncharted territory of SoundCloud to his current standing as a musical luminary is a captivating odyssey that spans multiple albums, each representing a distinct chapter in his artistic narrative. Formerly recognized under the pseudonym Pink Guy during his experimental SoundCloud days, Joji's early musical endeavors were marked by unconventional humor and an audacious approach to sonic exploration.

The transition from Pink Guy to Joji signaled a transformative shift and his 2017 debut EP, In Tongues, became the inaugural canvas for this metamorphosis. Emerging from his chaotic SoundCloud era, during which he embraced a wild and unfiltered persona, complete with antics like eating rats and intense screaming, Joji reinvented himself in the music scene. This transition wasn't just a superficial rebranding; it represented a profound musical evolution. His art, once characterized by its raw and often vulgar nature, seamlessly transitioned into a more melancholic and emotionally charged sound. This radical change, from the wild exterior to the tender core, proved to be an ingenious marketing strategy. Joji's authenticity and immediate embrace of his true self, despite a history of controversial content, endeared him to audiences worldwide.

In Tongues, initially released on SoundCloud, showcased a departure from the comedic roots of his earlier persona. Tracks like "Will He" and "Demons" marked a turn toward a more introspective and emotionally charged style from his earlier work, providing a glimpse into the sonic and thematic landscape that Joji would continue to explore in his subsequent work. Joji’s lyrics evoke a sense of sadness, as he often uses soft sounds and looming ambience to establish deep melancholy throughout his tracks. The lo-fi “Will He” is often categorized as ‘sad-boy R&B.’ Throughout this album, Joji’s unique timbre and expressive range is often muted and dull while the backing beats are dominant. The mellow and emotionally-charged “Pills,” however, is the opposite. The lo-fi fugue deviates from the conventional ABAB songwriting pattern, with sporadic additions and subtractions of various layers. The ethereal quality of Joji's filter-enhance, echoing voice complements the deep bass and violin-like sounds in the chorus. The 31-year-old singer incorporates unique sound effects seamlessly while still effectively supporting the narrative. The mournful lyrics align with the song's instrumental tone, yet their abstract nature allows for personal interpretation. Joji even includes morse code in this song to spell out “Xanax,” referencing a connection between an addiction to physical pills and the woman he lost. The enigmatic quality of the lyrics keeps listeners intrigued, prompting them to anticipate and interpret each line. The production intricacies of “Pills” is symbolic of Joji’s lyrical potency.

Following In Tongues, Joji released BALLADS 1 in 2018. The debut marked a significant milestone in his artistic journey by exhibiting a more refined sound and elevated production quality, solidifying Joji’s departure from the comedic realm. The album's success catapulted Joji into the mainstream, earning him critical acclaim and a burgeoning global fanbase. “Slow Dancing in the Dark,” which has almost 1.2 billion streams on Spotify, is a poignant exploration of heartbreak. The track showcases his vocal prowess and hints at a growing mastery of production techniques. “Slow Dancing in the Dark” starts with a lo-fi beat and piano arpeggio, which continues until the chorus, where Joji confidently sings in a high register with some insertions of a falsetto. "Slow Dancing in the Dark" has a polished production with lush orchestration. The track builds dynamically, featuring prominent strings and a dramatic atmosphere. "Demons" from Joji’s SoundCloud days on the other hand, has a darker and more experimental sound, characterized by deep bass and distorted vocals. The production creates an introspective and brooding atmosphere. "Slow Dancing in the Dark" explores the pain of unrequited love and the emotional toll it takes, while "Demons" delves into personal struggles and inner turmoil, addressing the battle with one's own demons. Joji's evolution from "Demons" to "Slow Dancing in the Dark" shows a shift towards more mainstream soundscapes while maintaining a deep exploration of emotional themes.

The track is an atmospheric, lush soundscape of R&B, electronic, and soul influences. The production features rich, layered instrumentation, including haunting synths, a pulsating bassline, and atmospheric effects. These elements contribute to the song’s cinematic quality, immersing the listener in an emotionally-intense sonic experience.

Continuing his growth, Joji's subsequent releases maintain his trajectory of artistic exploration of lo-fi beat experimentation. In 2020, he released Nectar, a mixtape which further expands on the sonic palette established in BALLADS 1. The album features collaborations with prominent artists such as Diplo, Omar Apollo, and Lil Yatchy, demonstrating Joji's ability to navigate diverse musical landscapes and build upon his established sound. ​​In Joji's musical tapestry, the journey from muted verses to soaring choruses acts as a poignant canvas reflecting the emotional ebbs and flows inherent in his lyrics. For instance, the haunting verses of "Slow Dancing in the Dark," where Joji delicately croons, "I don't want to slow dance in the dark." The understated vulnerability in these lines lays the foundation for the profound emotional crescendo that follows in the expansive chorus, echoing the internal turmoil of heartbreak. Moreover, consider the track "Run," where Joji poignantly expresses, "I will run to you, I don't want to run from you." Here, the subdued verses evoke a sense of hesitation and internal conflict, setting the stage for the cathartic release found in the sweeping choruses. This deliberate juxtaposition exemplifies Joji's mastery in crafting a sonic journey that encapsulates the specific pain of losing someone while infusing it with a relatable essence of yearning, leaving the interpretation of these emotions up to the listener's personal experiences. "Run" has a dreamy and atmospheric production, maintaining a lo-fi aesthetic. The track is characterized by its minimalistic instrumentation, emphasizing Joji's vocals. His SoundCloud release "Will He" features a similar atmospheric quality, but with a more polished production. The instrumental includes a haunting piano melody and electronic elements, contributing to a more refined sound. "Run" expresses a desire for escapism and freedom. Joji sings about running towards someone instead of away, capturing a sense of longing. "Will He" delves into the aftermath of a breakup, questioning whether the person still has feelings for Joji. The transition from "Run" to "Will He" showcases a progression in production quality and a shift toward more complex arrangements. However, Joji's exploration of heartache and introspection remains a constant theme.

"Sanctuary" is another love song that explores longing and the pursuit of solace in a relationship. What makes this track particularly unique is the feature of a minimalist, yet evident beat, dreamy synths, and Joji's signature emotive vocals, creating a compelling harmonic progression that feels both contemporary and timeless. One of the defining aspects of "Sanctuary" is Joji's vocal delivery. His emotive voice adds a distinct layer to the song. Joji expresses a yearning for a metaphorical sanctuary in the midst of romantic complexities, as he goes on to sing, “Not anyone, you're the one, more than fun, you're the sanctuary”. This emotional authenticity has become a hallmark of Joji's music. The dynamic shifts from a prominent beat in the subdued verses to his isolated vocals in the soaring chorus, creating an emotional ebb and flow. Ambient synthesizers enhance the dreamlike immersion into the complexities of love and desire that the song evokes in its listeners.

Photo Courtesy of Mai Nguyen

The latest installment in Joji's discography, SMITHEREENS, is the pinnacle of his artistic evolution. Released in 2022, the album is a final testament to his refined approach to sound production and storytelling. From the ethereal atmospheres of "Glimpse of Us" to the raw emotion of "Die For You," SMITHEREENS encapsulates the culmination of Joji's journey from experimental SoundCloud uploads to global recognition. "Glimpse of Us" features Joji's heartfelt and powerful vocals that breathe life into the lyrics, constructing an authentic, relatable narrative that resonates deeply with listeners about missing someone. “Die For You" has a subdued production with a lo-fi aesthetic, emphasizing intimacy and introspection, while Joji’s SoundCloud release "Pills" features a more dynamic production with electronic elements. The progression from "Die For You" to "Pills" highlights Joji's evolution in exploring different themes and experimenting with a broader musical palette than he did in his earlier music.

The track features ethereal synths, subtle beats, and layered textures that contribute to the song's atmospheric ambiance. What sets "Glimpse of Us" apart is its ability to tearjerk while still being minimalistic with the ebb and flow of its piano and guitar. "Glimpse of Us" is a perfect representation of Joji’s simple and somewhat experimental sound. "Glimpse of Us" explores themes of nostalgia and lost connections, capturing fleeting moments and memories, whereas his earlier works like "Worldstar Money (Interlude)" are instrumental and don't have explicit lyrics. His previous works set a dreamy and contemplative mood, while his newer ones are more intricate. Amid an album that reflects a refined and mature phase of his career, this track contributes to the thematic coherence, adding depth to the overall musical narrative.

Across these albums, Joji's evolution is palpable. The singer transcended the limitations of his early internet persona in his refined songwriting and production techniques as well as his distinctive, emotional vocal style, all while managing to maintain a sense of relatability for his audience.