"Sanctuary"
Single by Joji
from the album Nectar
Released14 June 2019 (2019-06-14)
Genre
Length3:00
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Justin Raisen
Joji singles chronology
"Test Drive"
(2018)		 "Sanctuary"
(2019)		 "Breathe"
(2019)
Music video
"Sanctuary" on YouTube

"Sanctuary" is a song by Japanese singer-songwriter Joji. It was released on 14 June 2019 through 88rising Records and 12 Tone Music.[1] The track was written by Joji, Daniel Wilson, Justin Raisen and Luke Niccoli, with Raisen handling production. Eoin Glaister directed the song's accompanying music video.

Composition

"Sanctuary" was composed by Joji, Daniel Wilson, Justin Raisen and Luke Niccoli, arranged by Joji and produced by Raisen.[2] It is a lo-fi and electropop ballad that incorporates elements of trap, electronica, R&B and soul music,[3][4][5][6] and its production features ambient synthesizers and a minimalist beat.[5] Like most of Joji's tracks, "Sanctuary" is a love song,[5] though its lyrics feature "more poetically abstract verses", rather than the artist's usual "frank and uncomplicated confessions." Throughout the song, Joji sings to a potential lover that he can offer devotion and honesty, though asks them to express their love for him rather than waiting for reciprocation.[7][8]

Reception

Salvatore Maiki of The Fader described the track as "catchy",[3] while Mike Wass of Idolator wrote that its blend of genres was a "heady mix".[4] Gabriel Aikins of Substream Magazine named it one of the best songs of the week, claiming that "when it comes to introspective, atmospheric tracks, there are few doing it better right now than Joji," and commended the artist's vocal performance and Raisen's production.[9]

Music video

A music video for "Sanctuary" was shared upon the track's release on 14 June 2019 and was directed by Eoin Glaister in Lancaster, California. Joji visualized the video's concept as he was writing the song, stating in an interview with Harper's Bazaar that "as soon as [he] heard the instrumental for [the song] [he] knew it had to be something like cheesy space shit."[10] It features Joji as the captain of a spaceship who struggles to find purpose after he has defeated his main enemy. A close friend, noticing this and resolving to bring his purpose back, gouges out one of his eyes with a spoon in order to resemble this villain, steals a MacGuffin that they had retrieved from the villain some time prior to his death, then kills a crewmate, leaves using an escape pod, and attacks the ship, forcing Joji to assume his position as captain and defend the spacecraft, thus bringing excitement back into his life.[11][12][5]

Charts

Chart performance for "Sanctuary"
Chart (2019–2022) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[13] 42
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[14] 58
Ireland (IRMA)[15] 61
Lithuania (AGATA)[16] 14
Malaysia (RIM)[17] 7
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[18] 32
Singapore Top Regional (RIAS)[19] 15
UK Singles (OCC)[20] 63
US Billboard Hot 100[21] 80
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[22] 32

Certifications

Certifications for "Sanctuary"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[23] Gold 35,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[24] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[25] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ↑ "Sanctuary - Single by Joji on Apple Music". Apple Music. 14 June 2019. Archived from the original on 22 June 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  2. ↑ "Sanctuary / Joji - TIDAL". Tidal. 14 June 2019. Archived from the original on 22 June 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  3. 1 2 Maiki, Salvatore (14 June 2019). "Joji's new "Sanctuary" video is an intergalactic experience". The Fader. Archived from the original on 15 June 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  4. 1 2 Wass, Mike (14 June 2019). "The Drop: Your Guide To New Music Friday Featuring Joji & Shura". Idolator. Archived from the original on 15 June 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Herman, Tamar (14 June 2019). "Joji Is Bored With the Galaxy in '80s-inspired 'Sanctuary' Music Video: Watch". Billboard. Archived from the original on 18 June 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  6. ↑ Casteel, Beth (14 June 2019). "Joji shares space-themed music video for "Sanctuary"". Substream Magazine. Archived from the original on 23 June 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  7. ↑ Mesh, Nada (14 June 2019). "Joji Calls Out To His Lover, & "Sanctuary" In His New Single". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on 14 June 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  8. ↑ Caraan, Sophie (14 June 2019). "Joji Drops the Video for "Sanctuary" (Update)". Hypebeast. Archived from the original on 14 June 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  9. ↑ Aikins, Gabriel (17 June 2019). "Take 5: The songs you need to know this week (June 17, 2019)". Substream Magazine. Archived from the original on 23 June 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  10. ↑ Gonzales, Erica (17 June 2019). "Joji Talks "Sanctuary," Ballads 1, and Making Billboard History - Harper's Bazaar". Harper's Bazaar. Archived from the original on 23 June 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  11. ↑ "Joji - Sanctuary (Official Video)". 14 June 2019. Archived from the original on 14 June 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2019 – via YouTube.
  12. ↑ Gore, Sydney (14 June 2019). "Love Is a Complex Galaxy in Joji's 'Sanctuary' Video". Highsnobiety. Archived from the original on 23 June 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  13. ↑ "ARIA Australian Top 50 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 23 June 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  14. ↑ "Canadian Music: Top 100 Songs: June 29, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  15. ↑ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Archived from the original on 23 June 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  16. ↑ "Savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 21 June 2019. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  17. ↑ "Top 20 Most Streamed International & Domestic Singles In Malaysia" (PDF). Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  18. ↑ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on 23 June 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  19. ↑ "RIAS Top Charts Week 25 (17 - 23 Jun 2022)". RIAS. 28 June 2022. Archived from the original on 28 June 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  20. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  21. ↑ "Top 100 Songs – June 29, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  22. ↑ "Top 100 Songs – June 29, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  23. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2020 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  24. ↑ "British single certifications – Joji – Sanctuary". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  25. ↑ "American single certifications – Joji – Sanctuary". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
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