Joji: Piss in the Wind

"He first pivoted to non-comedic music in the 2010s, and much of his recent work has felt stuck in that decade-2016's pantheon of self-pitying stars ( Drake, Bon Iver, Frank Ocean) continues to loom large. On Piss in the Wind, Joji's first album since leaving 88 Rising, he attempts to modernize his sound, employing a scattershot approach that ranges from weepy piano ballads to slithering trap songs. But despite some intriguing production, Joji still feels distant and unknowable."

"The album's best moments come when Joji deploys the noisy, aggressive production favored by morose rappers like fakemink, Bladee, and Playboi Carti. Following the sleepy production of his previous albums, these new sounds provide a much-needed jolt of energy. The self-produced opening song "PIXELATED KISSES" truly bangs, its distorted synths and clattering drums pushing the whole track into the red. On "Soujourn," the artist formerly known as Kenny Beats and 100 gecs' Dylan Brady cook up a darkwave soundtrack for late-night drives."

Joji transitioned from comedy YouTube notoriety to somber alt-R&B over the past decade, drawing heavily from 2010s influences like Drake, Bon Iver, and Frank Ocean. On Piss in the Wind, his first album after leaving 88 Rising, he attempts to modernize his sound with a scattershot approach spanning weepy piano ballads to slithering trap songs. The album's strongest moments utilize noisy, aggressive production inspired by morose rappers such as fakemink, Bladee, and Playboi Carti, providing necessary energy. Collaborators including Dylan Brady and Yeat contribute darkwave textures and Young Thug-esque bars. Many songs rely on vibes, and Joji's delivery often remains detached and clinical, leaving portions of the record feeling distant and uneven.

Read at Pitchfork