Jin of the global phenomenon BTS finally made his solo debut with EP Happy, becoming the group’s first member to release music following Korea’s mandatory military enlistments. After sharing a string of singles and OSTs over the years, Jin takes this moment to home in and focus on one of his most beloved qualities among fans: his overwhelmingly positive attitude and desire to spread happiness. Throughout the six rock-influenced tracks presented in Happy, the 31-year-old singer does just that, epitomizing the “ray of sunshine” he’s known to be while collaborating with some of the industry’s finest.
Debuting With A Bang!
Right out of the gate, Happy’s first two tracks, “Running Wild” and “I’ll Be There,” are like pure adrenaline pumping through your veins, releasing all the built-up tension and baggage you might have been carrying. Co-produced by Gary Barlow, a member of the iconic British rock band Take That, “Running Wild” is described as a British pop-rock with distinctive sounds of the new wave genre. As the lead single of this EP, not a moment is wasted as it surges forward with the pound of the kick drums and uplifting melody leading into Jin’s low, soothing vocals.
“There’s a way / There’s a way that we can fly again / Remember how we used to love back then? / Living like we had no end,” Jin sings with nostalgia weighing heavy on his voice. From just these lines alone, “Running Wild” hammers home the idea of feeling free to recapture the infectious energy and love that once made him feel unstoppable. It’s like he’s trying to convince us, the listeners, to run free with him. With the help of his liberating falsetto in the chorus, it doesn’t take much; this explosive and anthemic track is enough to want to drop everything you’re doing in pursuit of the freedom and happiness Jin so confidently sings of.
The exciting journey continues in “I’ll Be There,” the pre-release track released on October 24, setting the tone for this entire project. Co-written by American singer-songwriter MAX, the track is rooted in rockabilly, a genre that blends elements of rock & roll with one of its earliest styles, country music. Like “Running Wild,” “I’ll Be There” aims to uplift those who feel alone and disheartened during times of stress and sadness, becoming the perfect party anthem and ideal track for the ending credits of a feel-good flick.
I will be there forever / I’ll stay the same, I’ll be there for you / There for you / Oh-oh-oh / With this song, I say to you / I swear that I will always sing for you”: Jin’s playfulness and witty nature especially shine through these lyrics, as he promises to have the listener’s back through the ups and downs the same way they do for him. Although artists dedicating songs and albums to their fans isn’t a new concept, it’s still a nice reminder that Jin genuinely wants to reciprocate the same joy and support he receives daily. For that, we couldn’t resist the charm of “I’ll Be There” even if we tried.
The Rise and Fall
As shown in the EP’s concept photos leading up to its release, Happy is divided into three themes: journey, imagine, and navigate, all of which offer an authentic portrait of moments when Jin feels truly happy in life. “Running Wild” and “I’ll Be There” fall under the ‘Imagine’ concept, as both could be considered the epitome of letting your imagination whisk you from your everyday struggles. Meanwhile the next two tracks, “Another Level” and “Falling” fall under ‘Journey,’ as Jin dives deeper into more personal subjects on the album.
Tackling alternative rock, “Another Level” takes a powerful turn lyrically and sonically, engulfing the song in this dark, mysterious bass that feels nothing short of intriguing. Using the metaphor of leveling up in a game, Jin conveys his determination to move forward despite hardships, refusing to let anything or anyone stand in the way of his goals. “We’ll bounce back ahead,” he proclaims as the song’s progression trudges along as if he’s crawling through the mud in an attempt to break free. While Happy has been lighthearted and fun until this point, “Another Level” brings the gravitas and conviction needed to balance the highs and lows of trying to find true happiness. Additionally, if you’re a guitar fanatic, the epic guitar solo in the outro should have you levitating within seconds.
Picking up the pace is the modern rock track, “Falling,” which is also infused with J-pop vibes courtesy of Taka and Toru of renowned Japanese band ONE OK ROCK. With both members credited on the production of the song, “Falling” provides a welcome twist on the previous rock tracks heard from Jin thus far. Lyrically, the vocalist soars with the message of falling deeply in love with someone and wanting to be locked into a relationship with them. Imagine listening to this on a road trip with a significant other — windows down, volume up, and singing Jin’s “I want you” at the top of your lungs while ONE OK ROCK’S Toru smashes it on the guitar. Sounds pretty epic, right?
Heart on His Sleeve
Rounding out the album are the two tracks of the ‘Navigate’ theme, as Jin carefully sorts through his more vulnerable emotions. With these entries, listeners find Jin wearing his heart on his sleeve and opening up in ways that feel the most tender and gentle to his solo debut.
First is “Heart on the Window,” a pop track featuring WENDY of K-pop group Red Velvet. Although this unexpected duet was a surprise to fans, it’s definitely a pairing that makes so much sense after hearing both performers’ energies bounce off of each other with such delicacy and passion. Incorporating elements of new wave in its production, the song draws a poignant comparison between the changing seasons seen through a window and the passage of time, conveying a theme of enduring love.
There’s an infectious bounce to “Heart on the Window” that almost feels like the pounding of a heartbeat — that exciting but anxious feeling people get when they’re in love. Like the rhythm of a heartbeat, the song matches a steady rhythm that never feels out of place with the light strums of acoustic guitar throughout. As the production builds, so do Jin and Wendy’s illustrious harmonies, moving from soft and tender in the beginning to passionate and unwavering at the end. If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to fly, I’d imagine this is as close as you could get.
Finally, closing out this journey to happiness is “I will come to you,” a piano ballad dedicated to ARMY. With Jin writing lyrics for the track, this is his letter to encapsulate feelings of yearning that he’s felt for his fans through the years. With every note of sincerity that leaves his lips, Jin reflects on the time spent away from fans and promising his inevitable return — a promise he kept with this EP. Although artists dedicating a song or album to their fans isn’t a new concept, it’s still touching to know a performer of Jin’s status doesn’t take the support of his fans for granted. With “I will come to you” — and Happy in general — he genuinely wants to reciprocate the same love and happiness he receives daily, creating an everlasting bond with ARMY.
As Long As Jin Is Happy
Remaining true to its title, Happy is a divine culmination of everything that makes Jin, Jin. The various elements and styles of rock suit his vocals and aura so naturally, it’s hard to imagine his solo debut sounding like anything else. His charm, determination, optimism, and kindness are all showcased across these six hopeful tracks that beautifully embody the singer’s heart and soul.
As Jin invites listeners to join him on his quest for happiness, you become enveloped in his journey, wanting nothing more than to follow in his footsteps to the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. As many fans already know, the BTS member is known for his saying, “As long as ARMY is happy.” However, with the release of his first EP, it seems like ARMY’s happiness and Jin’s happiness will always be intertwined.
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