Ballads 1 is the debut studio album by the Japanese singer-songwriter Joji. It serves as a follow-up to In Tongues (2017) his first project as Joji, and Pink Season (2017), his only album released under his former alter-ego, Pink Guy. Ballads 1 was released on 26 October 2018 through 88rising and 12Tone Music.^[2] The album debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 as well as number one on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album was certified platinum by the RIAA in October 2021.^[3]

Ballads 1 is primarily produced by Joji himself^[4] and features only one vocal feature, with Trippie Redd appearing on "R.I.P."^[5] though features production features from names such as Clams Casino, D33J and Shlohmo. The project is introspective, writing about the "reality of love, life and everything in between."^[6] The project ranges from songs that are "heart-wrenching" and sometimes more cheerful to capture the feeling that "no one's sad all the time".^[7]

The focus of the project is ballads, according to Joji;^[6] and in an interview with Annie Mac said that he was trying to make the project full of ballads that are different in their "own special way"^[8] and that are powerful, set a new direction but keep "Joji roots" he established on In Tongues.^[7]

Joji stated in an interview with Triple J how he wanted to take a more pop-oriented approach to his style on the album, which began with the single "Yeah Right".^[9]

Ballads 1 debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200, with 57,000 album-equivalent units.^[17] The album has since been certified gold as of 16 January 2020.^[18]

More information Review scores, Source ...

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Highsnobiety	3/5[19]
Pitchfork	6.7/10[1]
Rolling Stone	[20]

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Braudie Blais-Billie from Pitchfork stated "Joji's first full-length project features a host of guests in a quality effort to help push past the confines of his bedroom walls and tedious heartache", going on to write "The ballad is a great mode for Joji. It retains the tormented intimacy of his music while elevating his approach to a more radio-friendly consistency than the runny compositions of In Tongues", giving the album a 6.7/10.^[21] Elias Leight from Rolling Stone gave the project 3 out of 5 stars, complimenting the progression from the In Tongues EP, the change of musical style throughout the project and the ability to produce "a particular kind of self-deprecating pop."^[22]

Rap and R&B blogs, the two genres which are the primary demographic of Miller,^[23] gave the project positive reviews. Highsnobiety gave the project 3/5 stars, calling it a "near-classic" with "on-point production" and complimenting Miller's progression.^[24] HotNewHipHop gave the project a "Very Hot" rating, calling the project "smooth."^[25] RIFF magazine complimented Miller's attempt to expand on his potential and spoke on its "array of soundscapes."^[26]

Credits adapted from Tidal.^[28]