Mastering the "Broken" Ballad
"Glimpse of Us" is a masterclass in emotional vulnerability. Released on Joji's 2022 album Smithereens, this stripped-back piano ballad quickly became a viral sensation for its raw lyrics and challenging vocal dynamics. Unlike a polished pop song, the beauty here lies in the imperfections.
To sing this well, you need to balance a quiet, intimate chest voice in the verses with a soaring, desperate quality in the chorus. The key is A♭ Major, which places the chorus right in the "break" area (passaggio) for most singers.
AI Coach Tip: Embrace the Texture
Joji uses a lot of air in his tone. Our analysis shows that users who sing too "cleanly" score lower on style matching. Don't be afraid to let the voice crack slightly or sound tired to match the emotion.
Phase 1: The Verses (Intimacy)
The song begins low and slow. The opening lines "She'd take the world off my shoulders" require a soft, breathy chest voice. You are singing to yourself here, not an audience.
The Trap: Because it is quiet, singers often lose pitch support. Keep your diaphragm engaged even when singing at a whisper volume (piano) to ensure the F3-A3 notes remain stable.
Phase 2: The Chorus (The High Note Challenge)
The chorus ("Said I'm fine and said I moved on...") jumps up significantly in range. The melody hovers around C5 and Bb4.
- The Transition: You must switch to a head-dominant mix or a reinforced falsetto. If you drag your heavy chest voice up here, you will strain.
- Vowel Modification: On the word "fine," modify the vowel towards "fawn" slightly to open the throat and allow the high note to resonate more easily.
- Dynamics: This section should be loud and desperate, contrasting the quiet verses.
Phase 3: The Emotional Texture
Throughout the bridge and outro, Joji's voice sounds like it is breaking. This is a stylistic choice known as a "cry." To achieve this, you can slightly raise your larynx on the release of phrases, but do so sparingly to avoid vocal fatigue.
The piano accompaniment is simple, meaning your voice is entirely exposed. There is no heavy production to hide behind, so your pitch accuracy must be precise even while delivering raw emotion.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest significant sustained note in the chorus is a C5. There are also falsetto harmonies that may reach higher depending on ad-libs.
Joji uses a very light mix or reinforced falsetto. It should feel heady but connected. Avoid a heavy belt, as it ruins the melancholic vibe.
Yes, but the chorus will be challenging. You can use the Singing Coach AI app to transpose the track down by -2 or -3 semitones to make the C5 more accessible.
