Joni – ‘Things I Left Behind’ album review: a perfect soundtrack to heartache
THE SKINNY: In her films, Sofia Coppola is obsessed with cars. We regularly see her characters with their heads pressed to cold glass, watching the world go past as a metaphor for a state of change or uncertainty. Life, just like a car, is carrying her characters from one place to the next, one chapter to a new one, one version of themselves to another. Joni’s new album, Things I Left Behind, feels the same as an old life sits in the rearview.
The album was born out of exactly the state that it feels so evocative of. Joni moved country while deeply in love, went through a heartbreak and then found herself in that new place alone. In the way of a tumultuous breakup, everything was painted in grief: her new home, her memories, even her music. The album captures the poignancy of that and the depth of the relatable and ever-inspiring experience of heartache, but it also twinkles with a sense of reclamation.
There is nothing new about a heartbreak album, but there doesn’t need to be. Love and loss are arguably the only two things that truly connect us. No one is an island and so no one gets out of this world untouched by love or its inevitable ending; there will always be a desire to have that fact soundtracked and artists since the dawn of time have queued up to offer their services.
However, an album that truly captures it, down to its core, is rare and special. Things I Left Behind is one of those rare gems, as every single decision, word and sound on this album serves its emotional core. The experience is inspected from every vantage point. The odd contentment of the pain on ‘Your Girl’, the sad hope of ‘Strawberry Lane’, the returning power of the title track, and the gutting simplicity and tenderness of ‘Birthdays’. As always, the secret weapon to a truly great heartbreak album is Joni’s specificity – this is an album about her and her experience, but it has that powerful trust that people will still relate to. And I do.
But what it also has is incredible craft. After feeling uncertain about her role in this industry following her breakup, which happened to be with her old collaborator, Joni should look at this album with incredible pride and let it bolster her and reassure her that she did not need him to make something magical. Each detail here is perfected. Start to finish, it’s golden with gorgeous dreamlike moments weaving between solid points with an array of influences coming in and out to keep things interesting. It’s cohesive yet still engaging, tender but punchy enough, and hazy to the point of making you introspect, but not so much that it feels veiled or muted.
For anyone in need of a moment of rich feeling, hit play. For anyone with an aching heart, hit play and bask in the beauty of feeling so much. For anyone wanting to feel like they’re in a Coppola flick for a moment of cinematic drama, hit play.
For fans of: Introspecting on a long journey.
A concluding comment from me a year ago: “When I needed this album, where was it?”
Things I Left Behind track by track
Release date: April 11th | Producer: Joni Fatora and Luke Sital-Singh | Label: Hand In Hive
‘Your Girl’: “Somehow I’ll always be your girl,” Joni sings wistfully in this scene’s opening song that immediately sinks you into the feelings of loss and heartache, but with a cinematic sheen like a Sofia Coppola car scene. [4.5/5]
‘Strawberry Lane’: The instrumentation and production of this album is so gorgeous. Every decision feels so evocative of the emotions at play, and this stunning lyrical ode to hopes of love and domesticity is made so special by the dreamy finish. [4.5/5]
‘Avalanches’: But Joni doesn’t let it be one-note. ‘Avalanches’ sees the dreaminess give way to an indie undercurrent that’s just as hooking. [4/5]
‘Things I Left Behind’: The project’s titular track is a strong one, summarising and capturing the story and energy that powers the whole project. [4/5]
‘Castles’: From the more high-octane sound of the track before, the return to dreaminess on ‘Castles’ adds to the dynamic nature of the record yet never faults on the cohesive string of the emotional experience. [4/5]
‘Birthday’: The haziness gives way to some clarity with this stripped-back acoustic moment. It’s devastating and simple and so special. [4.5/5]
‘Bucket List’: Lovely guitar tones here. By this point, Joni’s voice feels like a warm hug. [4/5]
‘The Tide’: After two simpler tracks, the pace changes again. This is something bluesy and angsty, offering a whole new side to the album. [4/5]
‘Still Young’: The Sofia Coppola car energy returns as this track feels like pushing your head against a cold window and reflecting as the world goes by but in a lighter, brighter way. [4/5]
‘PS’: Ending as beautifully as it began, this is a start-to-finish golden album of strong, sharply put emotions and twinkling music to match. [4/5]
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