Japanese-Australian singer Joji returned with his long-awaited fourth studio album “Piss in the Wind” on Feb. 6. The album marks his first project after parting ways with his longtime label 88rising and his first with Palace Creek alongside Virgin Music Group.
Joji takes you on a rollercoaster of sound throughout the 21 tracks. In 46 minutes, he takes you through sounds you’re familiar with hearing him in, such as R&B and alternative but he brings you in with more trap and lo-fi.
The first single he released off “Piss in the Wind” was “Pixelated Kisses,” a short song that showed a different sound for him and was different than what you normally hear from him.
He started the album’s rollout with billboards for the song saying “See you soon.” Fans around the world were thrilled for his return.
The second single, “If It Only Gets Better,” is all about false optimism. Often you hear the phrase “if it only gets better” as a hopeful message, but Joji means it as doubtful and tries to shrug off his feelings.
The third single, “Past Won’t Leave My Bed,” is what we’re used to hearing from Joji. He goes back into his piano ballad roots and sings about a relationship he can’t forget about. He’s unable to move on as he remembers what the love once was like. Along with this single, Joji revealed the album’s title, release date and cover art.
The next single, “Love You Less,” deep dives into a shoegazy dream pop sound. The song details the push and pulls of a tumultuous relationship where one side wants to stay around with the person and the other is already looking for a way out.
The last single from the album is “Last of a Dying Breed,” a repetitive and minimal song that pushes Joji’s message across. The song is all about this feeling of being misunderstood but rare at the same time. It’s very lonely. It prepared listeners for how the album was going to be and how it would make them feel.
“Piss in the Wind” is emotionally honest and Joji’s truest album to date. He’s written songs that have been vulnerable, but nothing like this. These songs are short on purpose because he wants to get the message across that being emotional isn’t ongoing but a feeling that lasts temporarily.
It’s noticeable that this album didn’t have a breakout hit like “Slow Dancing in the Dark,” “Glimpse of Us” or “Die for You.” That’s because when you’re being honest, it’s not about awards and celebration. It’s about being yourself and not wanting validation for how you’re feeling but telling people how you’re feeling.
Joji leaned away from his usual R&B and hip-hop and substituted it for this more raw, gloomy, repetitive sound. This album feels out of place and unfinished on purpose as a relationship does when it ends.
In the end, this may not be Joji’s most successful or upbeat album but it is his most honest and sincere. If you check it out, get ready for the rollercoaster he takes you on and have tissues ready.
