Joji’s newest album Nectar, released on Friday, Sept. 25, is on its way to the top of the musical food chain. Lyrics that are well-spoken and meaningful parallel a smooth music choice that speaks to Joji and his team’s ability to find balance between the two major parts of a song. The artist created not just a beautiful album, but a delicate creation that makes you want to pause and let out your feelings while simultaneously signalling an urge to get up and dance on your bed.

Joji classifies his music as an R&B style with a bit of pop throughout. Growing up in Japan, he and his friends would go down to quiet rice fields and be able to think and create ideas in their heads through the calmness of the environment. Using the influence of his childhood home, he likes to create a safe, harmonious environment for listeners. Whether it’s your feelings or just a simple math problem, Nectar’s peaceful, catchy vibe will keep your gears turning. He strives to reach the level of his idol, Lil Wayne, whose album, A Milli, inspired him to learn to play the guitar. Combining a sensation of a peaceful rice field and the elements of a hip hop album, Joji created his original R&B sound which can range from a mainstream, radio song all the way to music you would use to make people think you’re edgy and mysterious.

The lyrics are put to the test as they seem to be the main aspect of the album. Each word is in the song for a reason and there isn’t one out of place. In his song Sanctuary, Joji talks about the safety he has felt in another person with only two verses and a chorus. He takes a three minute song and in that time span, helps you to sympathize with experiences you may not have ever lived through. This theme of feeling so much love for another person carries on through the album and is only one of the many underlying truths. 

Truths aren’t the only thing hidden throughout the album as collaborations with budding  artists are very common. It is clear Joji made an effort to find the perfect voices for his album as there are up-and-coming singers on half of the songs. Joji invited Rei Brown to harmonize and write a verse on his song, Normal People. Rei’s impact on this song is extraordinary as he adds a contrast to Joji’s voice powerful enough to make the song feel like a mash up of two different songs. Normal People uses elements of a smooth beat and chemistry between Joji and Rei’s voices to create an illusion of the relationships both artists had struggled through but can never seem to forget. Yves Tumor’s pizzazz was also featured on this album through the production and melodies of Reanimator, the 16th track of the album. Reanimator creates an energy that is drunk with carefree infatuation through just the lyrics written by Tumor. Using colorful language and phrases such as the lyrics “But, it’s alright if it makes you feel good,” Tumor’s alluding word choice helps you understand where these two singers are singing from and the hurt that must’ve come from their experiences.These two songs soothed my ears as I finished off the rest of my homework and they both really stood out to me. I appreciate this album not only for Joji’s wonderful songs but for introducing me to amazing artists who will be following him in my playlist.

Outside of the music, Joji was also sensitive to the current situation of today’s world while releasing this album. In honor of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests around the world, Joji decided to postpone the album’s release date from July to September. When I first heard this, I’ll admit, mentally, a tear fell down my cheek but, as I sat with it, I realized how much respect I had for what he chose. Inside the album, a theme of feeling inferior is picked up on. Feeling inferior to someone else’s ego or feeling smaller than their own “god complex” is reiterated through the lyrics of any song on this album, only emphasizing how much emotion comes with feeling smaller than someone you love. He sings about his hurt and anger through feeling unequal to or less than someone which is also a major discussion point surrounding the BLM movement. Joji creates an atmosphere around and inside Nectar : one of honorable peace and equal heart.

Nectar is a continuation of Joji’s most streamed album, BALLADS 1. Sounds from these two pieces of art are very similar so, if you like one, you will definitely like the other. Joji intended this, as he wanted to focus less on lo-fi beats and more on bringing back his old sound through his music, unlike his last experimental EP, Lost Ballads. He himself admits he was shocked when he transitioned from a mysterious sound to mainstream radio in his EP Lost Ballads. He wanted to grow backwards and retreat to his roots to find who he was and what his sound was. I personally say he did it successfully, converging pop beats with slow lyrics. Joji’s range is showcased throughout every song on the album as both his root sounds and his new sound shine through a multi-layered listening experience. 

Anyone looking for some new music or just a comfort crowd, should choose Nectar. It will have you tapping your foot or drying your eyes with every beat. Joji created a piece of art through the lyricism and atmosphere of this album. Emotion after emotion he pours out all sides to any relationship, romantic or friendly, into a glass of Nectar for us to drink. Don’t be worried, though this nectar is sweet, it won’t give you a cavity.