The R&B, Lofi-pop singer Joji released a new album “Smithereens” on November 4th, 2022, after debuting his song “Glimpse of Us” belonging to the album in early June. “Glimpse of Us” was extremely well-received by fans and music lovers everywhere, going viral for its longing, melancholic lyrics and sound.  

The new album features other astounding songs that continue Joji’s signature heartbreak style and deliver messages on complicated struggles of romance and how it can affect young men. “Smithereens” includes eight 2–3-minute songs and 1 interlude song to continue the flow of the album and redirect listeners.  

The interlude song “Yukon” (Explicit), that was released shortly before the rest of the album, has a unique sound and catchy lyrics that can get stuck in listeners heads for days. The interlude quickly became one of the most popular among the other songs in the album, along with “Die for you”, a dramatic song about moving on from heartbreak, that also became a viral hit.  

Former Dakota student Luke Moore stated, “It’s an amazing album, comparable to his other popular release ‘Nectar’. I’ve already added all the songs to my playlist, I especially like the song ‘1am Freestyle’ and I’m looking forward to Joji’s future works and hope he releases more soon.” (Joji has released other popular albums such as “Nectar” and “In Tongues” that have been exceedingly successful.) 

With resonating choruses, relaxing rhythms, soulful beats, and experimental sounds this album is one that listeners can enjoy just about anywhere. Whether you need some redirection studying or something to soothe you during a long car ride, “Smithereens” is absolutely worth a listen.