Joji has returned with his new single “Sanctuary.” A power ballad with emotion and sentiment. “Sanctuary” gives voice to a lovesick yet hopeful feeling towards an unrequited love. While the single calls upon sensibilities of 80s icons like Phil Collins and Journey, Joji’s latest is drenched in minimalistic beats and futuristic soundscapes, acting as somewhat of a “taste before the madness.” The video, directed by Eoin Glaister, is a campy space drama as envisioned by Joji.

The accompanying video for “Sanctuary” is a melancholic space odyssey that tells the story of “Captain Joji,” a space ranger who travels across lightyears to defeat his arch nemesis. The video begins with Captain Joji succeeding in ridding the universe of his sworn enemy and portrays life a year later for Captain Joji and his crew. The visual deals with the malaise of a hero who, after saving the galaxy, no longer bears a purpose. The burden of being a hero without a clear future weighs heavily on Captain Joji.

Joji is an Osaka, Japan-born singer and producer capturing a following from every corner of the Internet. The multi-talented visionary defies convention — his songs are characterized by down tempo, melancholic themes and soulful vocals, layered over lush grimy textures, blending elements of trap, folk, electronic, and R&B.