Since putting out on his personal, B.I’s work could be categorised as a self-reflective diary of the singer slowly piecing himself again collectively and testing his personal strengths and weaknesses. On his first few releases after resurfacing in public gentle, he was repentant, hesitant, nonetheless dipping his toes into the water and maybe forging his relationship along with his artwork anew.
This is the reason ‘Cosmos’ – and by extension, its second half ‘To Die For’ – stands as a pivotal launch in B.I’s profession. For a lot of his toddler years as a soloist, B.I had – by obligation and by alternative, to a point – remoted himself on a proverbial island, however ‘Cosmos’ marked the primary time gave himself an opportunity once more.
Exploring the complexities of affection, resistance and youth, the album studied how the three fed into one another, with freedom being the frequent denominator. Sizzling-blooded youth spurred on the pursuit of affection, which gave him the facility to “dream about eternity”, and resist expectations and private anxieties. Over the course of ‘Cosmos’ and the releases that adopted, B.I tapped again into the free-spirited man he at all times was. And right here we at the moment are, coming full circle with ‘To Die For’. As he brings his exploration of affection to completion, he’s extra assured, intentional and purposeful than ever.
On opening monitor ‘TO DIE’, B.I reinforces this newfound perception into indestructible armour: “CPR adjustments to respiration / Take a look at the replicas when you’re out of your thoughts / Don’t you dare choose me”. Horns blaze over a strong beat all through ‘Michelangelo’ as he paperwork his personal renaissance via quick-fire rap. ‘Wave’, backed with the sound of emergency sirens continuously inducing urgency, solely makes his proud proclamations stronger. “The development today ain’t cool / Similar garments, similar expression / They’re all the identical like a music / In concern of change… How a lot does the Earth price?’ he asks, earlier than turning the monitor on its head with a distorted EDM-laden, vertigo-inducing refrain.
That query unlocks one thing primal inside him, solely described as a craving to be free. Regardless of the chopping phrases of his songs, B.I’s resistance is neither unfounded nor rooted within the conventional motivations of going in opposition to the movement only for the sake of it. Having spent the higher a part of the previous few years unwittingly defending himself, B.I’s resistance stems from preserving the fundamental human want of being and expressing himself freely, with love being one of many conduits that enables him to take action.
The optimism of his purpose displays within the inherently buoyant sounds of the extra pop-leaning tracks on the album. Songs resembling ‘Island of Misfit Toys’ and ‘Die For Love’ embrace the struggles, however at all times preserve their eyes on the sunshine past. The latter’s paradoxical nature is amplified by its club-inspired sound, laden with mechanical twinkling and looping vocal results that give the music a decidedly poignant really feel.
Even when he takes on a cheekier, extra sardonic tone as on ‘Lovely Life’, he retains it welcoming and heat. “Since dwelling is like hell / Can I take a relaxation and lean on? / They are saying two is best than one / Let’s share one another’s mess,” goes the music as B.I easily melds rap verses over guitar riffs. At instances, he does battle with questioning whether or not his endeavour will fulfil a much bigger goal. Because the tempo slows down on ‘Cloud Thought,’ he wonders why he’s following his dream or creating wealth. Identical to clouds within the sky, nevertheless, that thought dissipates pretty rapidly.
Whereas he reaffirms it a number of instances on the album, two tracks stand testomony to this fearless model of B.I. On ‘Dare to Love’ – the place the playful, laid-back rap belies his Ok-pop idol days – he embraces falling in love “fearlessly”, even when it goes nowhere. Additional down, the naked but atmospheric sound of ‘Reality’ magnifies the depth by manifolds.
In opposition to a hovering association and thru half-sung phrases, B.I in all probability comes closest to what he meant by bringing his exploration of affection to completion. “You’re near eternity / Your that means is the entire reality,” he says. By placing his religion into what he believes to be the reality for himself, he lastly liberates himself. Rising above the anxieties round falling in love, the expectations of youth and even the necessity to continuously defend himself.
Particulars
- Launch date: June 1, 2023
- Document label: 131 Label
