Joji has returned with his first new drop in nearly two years. Sharing his latest single and visual “Glimpse of Us” (June 10), the new track finds the 88rising singer-songwriter at a crossroads, unsure if he can move past his former love for someone new. The star also announced his latest tour “Smithereens” which kicks off in September.
On “Glimpse Of Us,” Joji softly sings about his current relationship and compares it to his previous. He expresses his love for his new girl but laments that he only sees his former flame whenever he looks into her eyes. It’s a tear-jerking track and one that Joji nails in nearly every aspect. His high falsetto soars over the minimalistic piano and his crooning hook is sure to hit heartbroken listeners hard.
“Cause sometimes I look in her eyes
And that’s where I find a glimpse of us
And I try to fall for her touch
But I’m thinkin’ of the way it was”
Joji – “Glimpse of Us”
The video, directed by Dan Streit is a complete tonal shift from the sobering ballad the song presents. In the visual, a masked man and his friends are seen living in a poverty ridden home, fighting with spouses, wrecking havoc in the woods and simply falling down a chaotic spiral.
Perhaps Joji wanted to show his inner turmoil, wrestling with his feelings for his past and current relationship. The quick cuts to numerous verbal fights could be relating to the stress of not truly being over the past while still trying to move on toward the future. Nonetheless, the jarring duality creates a lasting impression.
Alongside the new visual and single, the singer announced that he will be going on a brand new tour. Starting Sept. 1 fans can see him and potential openers in Dhruv, Rei Brown, and SavageRealm. The two-month tour will kick off in Palo Alto, California and stops throughout North America including Vegas, Seattle, Atlanta, Boston and Vancouver.
His forthcoming third LP follows his acclaimed 2020 album Nectar, as his sophomore project featured hits such as “Ew” and “Sanctuary” as well as features from Lil Yachty, Rei Brown, Yves Tumor, and more. Nectar peaked at No. 3 on Billboard 200 upon its release — netting Joji his second gold record.
Joji is also scheduled to perform at this year’s Head in the Clouds festival in August, however, instead of performing under his usual moniker, the alternative R&B singer will play a DJ set under the name “Yebi Labs.” Launching in 2018, the event was created by the label 88Rising as the first Asian-centric music festival in the US. Since its inception, it has only grown in popularity with over 30,000 attendees in 2021. The festival also features a staggering lineup including Rich Brian, Jackson Wang, Jay Park, and others.
“Glimpse of Us” is a remarkable return for Joji and shows that he is still finding ways to improve and innovate his style. With each new era, it seems that he can only top himself. Keep an out eye for more “Glimpses” of Joji as the weeks wane on.
Check out “Glimpse of Us” by Joji below!
“Smithereens” Tour Dates
September 1 – Palo Alto, CA – Frost Amphitheater
September 3 – Las Vegas, NV – DAY N VEGAS
September 6 – Seattle, WA – WAMU Theater
September 7 – Vancouver, BC – Thunderbird Sports Centre
September 9 – Salt Lake City, UT – UCCU Center
September 10 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium
September 13 – Dallas, TX – The Factory Deep Ellum
September 14 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall
September 17 – Austin, TX – Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater
October 5 – Minneapolis, MN – The Armory
October 7 – Chicago, IL – Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
October 9 – Toronto, ON – History
October 11 – Montreal, QC – MTELUS
October 15 – Washington, DC – The Anthem
October 18 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Charlotte
October 20 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy
