After a three-year hiatus following the somewhat polarizing SMITHEREENS, Joji returns with Piss in the Wind. Released under his new independent label, Palace Creek, the album arrives with the heavy baggage of a 21-track list and the promise of a "return to roots." Unfortunately, instead of a refined homecoming, the project feels like a cluttered attic of half-baked ideas and "vibes" that never quite coalesce into a meaningful statement.
The most glaring issue with Piss in the Wind is its lack of structural integrity. While Joji has always flirted with brevity, this album takes it to a frustrating extreme. With 10 tracks clocking in under two minutes, the record often feels like a collection of TikTok-ready snippets rather than fully realized songs.
Tracks like "Cigarette" and "If It Only Gets Better" introduce gorgeous, lo-fi textures, reminiscent of the Chloe Burbank era, only to evaporate just as they start to build momentum. It’s a "loop" culture approach to songwriting that leaves the listener feeling perpetually unsatisfied, like a meal consisting entirely of appetizers.
The guest list is impressive on paper: Giveon, Don Toliver, and Yeat.
- "Rose Colored" (feat. Yeat): The "rage" synth influence feels forced and creates a sonic whiplash that doesn't mesh with Joji’s naturally breathy delivery.
- "Piece of You" (feat. Giveon): While vocally pretty, it feels safe and derivative, lacking the raw emotional gut-punch of previous
To its credit, the production, handled by heavyweights like Ricky Reed and Bnyx, is polished. The atmosphere is undeniably "Joji": hazy, melancholic, and deeply introspective. "LOVE YOU LESS" stands out as a rare moment of clarity, blending indie-rock sensibilities with a sticky hook that proves Joji hasn't lost his ear for melody. However, the sheer volume of filler (see: "Tarmac") drowns out these few gems.
Piss in the Wind is an apt title for an album that feels like it’s throwing ideas into a void to see what sticks. It occupies a strange middle ground: too messy to be a pop powerhouse, yet too overproduced to capture the authentic DIY charm of his early work. For a 21-track odyssey, there is remarkably little to hold onto once the static fades.
Best Tracks: LOVE YOU LESS, PIXELATED KISSES, SOJOURN
Worst Tracks: TARMAC, Fade to Black, If It Only Gets Better (for being tragically short)
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