There are very few songs that have the ability to completely pull listeners from their environment, get them out of their heads, and fully immerse them in the artist’s soundscape. “SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK” is one of those songs.
Starting out with a chill, punchy bass and seemingly fuzzy and glowing synths, the song has the ability to transport any listener to another world. Almost like chimes, the track swells and compresses again and again, giving the illusion of a swaying movement and a trance-like feeling. From the beginning, the track shimmers and sparkles like what you’d imagine to be the soundtrack of the stars. Joji’s nonchalant singing voice with the occasional heart-wrenching notes also gives in to the magical, larger-than-life feel of the track. And to top it off, the tension that builds up to the chorus, when finally resolved, mimics the feeling of jumping from 50ft feet in the air and then learning you can fly.
Written to be a lovelorn narrative, Joji’s “SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK” is actually a metaphor for a failing relationship. Much like a slow dance where you can’t see your partner’s face, Joji feels disconnected from his partner in his relationship, despite the intimacy that’s already there. So, if the feeling alone from listening to the track wasn’t enough, the lyrics definitely make it even darker and richer.
Once we hit the climax of the song, it seems as though Joji just threw us into a whirlwind of dings and bright sounds and more so, a whirlwind of emotions. Interspersed with breaks of silence and short snippets of MUSIC, this track, with all of its bending and pulling of sound, walks the line between magical and overwhelming. With “SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK”, Joji created the perfect haven between the two soundscapes and allows each and every listener to float in the space between. If you’re curious about the world that Joji so beautifully crafted and put out for us to stream, take a listen to “SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK” and let yourself fall in deep.
You can learn more about Joji here:
About the Curator: Rhea Patil
As an 18 year old who just moved to New York City to study Music Business at NYU, I’m constantly finding myself in unfamiliar territory and have come to realize I’m not going to settle in anytime soon. So, while I’ve been exploring the city and growing from each experience, I’ve racked up a pretty extensive list of the best music I’ve come across and want to keep sharing this art with you. When I'm not discovering and sharing new music though, I'm writing and creating my own music to share with the world. In fact, I’m working on releasing my debut EP right now! If you want to know more about me or this project, connect with me on instagram!