Joji reaches new heights on Nectar

Youtuber-turned alternative and R&B artist Joji released his second full-length studio album, “Nectar,” last week.

I’ve been a fan of Joji since his breakout track “Will He” was released late in 2017. This track showed he had serious potential to make quality music and marked the start of his journey from bizarre YouTube comedy to juggernaut of alternative music.

On “Nectar,” Joji reveals significant development in his vocal talent. His voice is more dynamic and livelier than it has ever been, and he avoids the monotone delivery that stifled portions of his earlier projects. This allows him to have a larger emotional range in his singing, and it makes the somber lyrics feel more organic than they would with his typical, dejected crooning.

The track “Run” is a great example of how Joji’s current vocal ability raises the quality of his music. Ominous guitar riffs, together with the mix of soaring falsetto and potent lower-pitched singing, make this song feel more impassioned than anything else Joji has ever released.

The production on “Nectar” is great, though major changes in tone from one track to the next occasionally disrupts the overall cohesion of the album. This is a bit disappointing because that was one of the major strengths of Joji’s 2018 project “BALLADS 1.” That being said, individual tracks on the album far exceed what he has done before in terms of production.

The tracks like “MODUS” and “Normal People” combine doleful piano with trap beat elements, which establishes a bittersweet atmosphere that synergizes flawlessly with Joji’s vocals.

The track with my favorite production is “Pretty Boy.” It has the most trap influence of any beat on the album, and the combination of pounding 808 drums and frenetic hi-hats works astonishingly well alongside the voices of Joji and featured artist Lil Yachty.

The track also includes a short bridge leading up to Yachty’s verse that is incredibly catchy. Where “Nectar” shines brightest is on tracks where high-quality production and dynamic vocals converge.

“Daylight” is a rare moment in which Joji sounds very energetic and melodic. This track plays into several stereotypes of modern pop music, with synths and predictable drums accompanied by simple vocals. However, this track contains an incredibly sticky chorus that illuminates the entire track. Here, the unlikely collaboration works to perfection and shows that Joji is capable of generating a catchy, pop-like hit.

Another standout song on the album is “Sanctuary.” Joji’s impressive vocal prowess is on full display as he belts out lyrics romanticizing a potential relationship. Production on this track is sonically pleasing but very simple. The production on “Sanctuary” plays a supportive role for Joji’s delicate singing and never overwhelms the listener.

Though “Nectar” lacks some cohesion and struggles in terms of production and vocals in places, it outshines his previous projects. Despite its imperfections, “Nectar” reveals the ambition Joji has to grow as an artist.

As Joji picks up steam and charts a course towards mainstream popularity, his music has become more polished and derivative. However, it still retains the charm and intoxicating wistfulness that made his early music appealing.

I would recommend this album to anyone who enjoys music with solid production and somber undertones. 7/10.