BTS' Jin has landed his brilliant new solo project, Happy. The six-song album marks the first solo effort from the boundary-breaking band's eldest member, and with HappyJin goes on to remind us that this BTS “hiatus” doesn't feel like a big hiatus at all.
Over the past two years, the members of BTS have experimented with solo releases that cross genres, lengths, and visual components, and Jin's delivery officially brings us to the point where all seven members of the group have offered an individual project to add to the canon. stream Happy below, and read on for some of the highlights from the brilliant album that lives up to its name.
01. Actor Jin
since launch the astronautJin has been giving his all to music videos. Naturally, he also committed to every concept in the BTS team's efforts: we haven't gone beyond HYYH was neither, but his solo songs put him squarely in the spotlight. The visual for the album's title track, “Running Wild,” sees him navigating the end of the world with a furry friend at his side. It's apocalyptic with just the right touch of hope, and Jin sells it. It would still be a great pleasure to see him take on a bigger acting role one day if he ever felt inspired to do so.
02. Pdogg keeps crushing it
Producer Pdogg, BTS's longtime collaborator, has his name all over this album. There is something special about his association with BTS that may be due to the length of time he has been working with the members; He has been involved with the band since the beginning, playing an instrumental role in its formation. Like his work with Jimin in FACE and MUSE, Pdogg's contributions to Happy They're another reminder that you see the vision each member has for their solo work and are committed to bringing it to life.
03. Jin and WENDY: combination made in vocal heaven
For “Heart on the Window,” Jin recruited vocalist WENDY, the Red Velvet member known for having one of the best voices in K-pop. Between Jin's strong tenor and WENDY's always polished contributions, the song feels spacious and inviting. It's been quite a while since we've heard a BTS member team up with a vocalist like this, and it's a bit reminiscent of SUGA recruiting IU for the dream “eight” in 2020.
04. Jin gravitates towards nostalgic rock
One of the most fun things about BTS's solo project era has been seeing what directions the members take on their own. It was a tremendously fun surprise to see j-hope take a more rock-inspired route; Jung Kook experimented with an all-English pop album, while V, less surprisingly, played jazz tunes. And although within BTS's discography, Jin often gravitates toward a ballad, most of Happy It feels closer to a song like “Moon.” From the pre-release single “I’ll Be There” to the drums towards the end of “Falling,” it invokes bright, infectiously energetic rock.
05. But the Ballads!
That being said, Jin still manages to buy time Happy to slow it down a little. Among the more ballad-adjacent tracks on the album, “I Will Come to You” feels like a standout, and when Jin leans into the breathier parts of his voice, things feel especially magical. Co-written by Jin, Joshua Thompson and Leon Else, the lyrics are remarkably tender: “The day white snow fell/ The day I left you/ Hundreds of times a day, those words I say every day/ I miss you so much. a lot.” We don't need to spend the day obsessing over the fact that it did, in fact, snow the day Jin left for the army, but perhaps a passing acknowledgment will suffice.
06. Gratitude, Reflection and Honesty
With Happylisteners have the opportunity to spend time looking at the vocalist's inner life in a new way. Jin's music often includes personal details (think “Abyss” or “Awake” in particular) and there are some overarching themes that feel consistent throughout. Happyparticularly introspection which is quite vulnerable in some places. On “Another Level,” he sings about mazes and hamster wheels, working to escape the feeling of being trapped: “I'll jump with all my might, no limits/ Burning to the end/ I'll keep fighting/ Even if I'm driven endlessly, “I will never stop,” he promises.
07. The title is the truth
In a recent interviewJin was very direct about the thesis of the project: “I have a very clear idea of what kind of emotions I want to share with our fans,” he explained. “I want our fans, our ARMY, to be happy.” When he opened with “I'll Be There,” he noted that his goal was to “bring happiness.” It's safe to say he was successful.
Happy Album artwork:
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