Joni - Things I Left Behind (2025) [Hi-Res]

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, Michell 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.