Today rising Japanese artist Joji shares his fist full body of work via label/creative collective 88rising. The In Tongues EP is an exercise in authenticity by an artist who has been known by various aliases over the past few years. In Tongues distills the everyday struggles of young Americans – relationships, sadness, etc – in a way that only Joji could. It's a straightforward and pure statement from an artist whose name is sure to be on the tips of the tongues of fans and critics alike for years to come. Lead single "Will He" hit #1 on the Spotify Viral charts globally and the EP itself is sure to follow suit. Listen to it HERE.
Speaking on the release, Joji says,"This is an important piece of work to me because my emotions not only get conveyed through lyrics but with sounds and textures. To me, that's what music is; communication. I feel the need to communicate with the listener because when we're on the same page, it's a magical experience.
As a naturally conflicted person, I get to show my turbulence and anger through hard hitting drums, and my melancholy through melody."
Watch The Video for Lead Single "Will He" Here
Watch the Full EP Visual for In Tongues Here:
Osaka, Japan-born singer and producer Joji is the multi-talented visionary, capturing a following from every corner of the Internet. The Osaka, Japan-born musician defies convention - his songs are characterized by down tempo, melancholic themes and soulful vocals, layered over lush grimy textures, blending elements of trap, folk, electronic, and R&B. Named a Best New Artist of 2017 by Pigeons & Planes, Joji is one of the most interesting and promising artists living in the digital age.
A master of multiple mediums, Joji commands a massive and almost fanatical fan base, with over 600 million views on YouTube alone.
His loyal following has carried over into Joji's music career. Although yet to release anything commercially, Joji's few tracks have millions of plays across Soundcloud and YouTube. His only two 2017 songs thus far - "I Don’t Wanna Waste My Time" and "Rain On Me" - have already been lauded for their "beautiful, captivating, understated quality" (Pigeons & Planes) and "lush emotion and thoughtful execution" (Earmilk).
In Tongues is the first full project from Joji and it is supported with beautiful and moving visuals for "Will He" - directed by Matthew Dillon Cohen (Goldlink) - and "Window" - directed by critically acclaimed duo BRTHR (Travis Scott, The Weeknd). Joji's live experience will see the stage in early 2018.
Joji is signed to 88rising - the team behind Internet-breaking sensations Rich Chigga, Keith Ape, and Higher Brothers. 88rising is the pioneering media platform representing the most forward-thinking artists and creators from Asia. Bridging East and West, 88rising is known for its "slew of massive viral video hits and collaborations with established American artists" (CNN). Led by an award-winning team of creative visionaries all over the world, 88rising is "clearly filling a void," (Forbes) by celebrating the unique cultural landscapes of Asia and beyond.