Minutes into Jimin’s debut solo album ‘FACE’, the sound of music rewinding cuts throughout the audio system earlier than it’s interrupted by a loud, agency knock on a door. As if answering that, a glowing instrumental drifts over ‘Interlude: Dive’, interlaced with recordings of the singer’s opening feedback from BTS’ Busan 2022 live performance and the sounds of the trivialities of on a regular basis life – a glass filling with liquid that’s glugged again seconds later; the distant ripple of chatter. Halfway via, ominous strings reduce in, bringing rigidity and an undercurrent of darkness to the atmospheric sound collage.
The observe could be billed as solely an interlude, nevertheless it’s indicative of the push and pull between mild and darkish that takes place on ‘FACE’. The document started life in early 2022 and finds the BTS star inspecting his experiences throughout the pandemic and diving into who he actually is, confronting his true emotions fairly than papering over them with a joyful facade. It, as one which means of its identify suggests, is a dealing with as much as actuality and captures the complicated rollercoaster of feelings that comes with that.
That battle between opposing forces takes centre stage on ‘Like Loopy’, a crisp synth-pop tune impressed by the film of the identical identify, starring Anton Yelchin and Jennifer Lawrence. “I feel we might final endlessly,” Lawrence whispers optimistically in a sampled piece of dialogue on the tune’s begin, earlier than Yelchin replies in equally hushed – however far much less constructive – tones: “I’m afraid that every part will disappear.”
Lyrically, the metallic observe tells a narrative of heartbreak and making an attempt to cling onto one thing that’s falling aside. “Because the loud music performs / I’m fading away,” Jimin sings. “A cliché story like a drama / I’m getting used to it / Did I come too far to seek out the me you used to know?” Between the gloomy outlook, although, comes escapism tinged with hope – a craving to not need to face the painful actuality morning will convey. “I’d fairly be / Misplaced within the lights / Misplaced within the lights,” he cries. “I’m outta my thoughts / Please maintain onto the top of this evening.”
Whereas the Korean model of ‘Like Loopy’ offers extra with a wrestle to maintain one thing alive – be {that a} relationship or a sure incarnation of Jimin’s being – the English model that closes the album units its sights on the burden of fame. “I can hear the voices listening / Don’t know who they’re,” he sings at one level on the latter. “Making an attempt to take the strain off / Been reaching for the celebs / Inform me will I discover myself once more / After I go too far?”
‘Set Me Free Pt.2’ – an immediately divisive observe that will match neatly into the dramatic symphonies of Kanye West’s ‘My Stunning Darkish Twisted Fantasy’ – tries to battle its method out of the harm. “Have a look at me now / I received’t disguise anymore even when it hurts,” Jimin declares. “Going insane to remain sane / Elevate your arms for the previous me.” It’s an assertion that finds him refusing to be defeated by the haters and exhausting instances life throws at us.
‘Face-off’ and ‘Alone’ – the 2 highlights of ‘FACE’ – tumble into the shade, however each take totally different approaches. The previous is virtually nihilistic, Jimin spitting, “Tonight I don’t wanna be sober / Pour it up, it’s all fucking over.” The latter, in the meantime, treads a extra despondent path, bemoaning a monotonous life the place he’s “pretending to be OK each time / I’m so pathetic”.
Jimin has spoken about eager to problem himself on this document and present one thing darker and extra uncooked. Sonically, he’s achieved simply that right here, utilizing a variety of sounds and kinds throughout the 5 tracks that each add new strings to his bow as an artist and craft an inky and compelling environment. A few of these new adventures into the shadows work higher than others, although.
‘Set Me Free Pt.2’ is probably the most abrasive and in-your-face observe on the document, the singer’s forays into rapping processed via thick layers of auto-tune that transcend stylistic and symbolic and turn into grating. By the point the tune hits its second verse, that impact will get ratcheted as much as an uncomfortable degree.
If that tune is considerably of a misfire, then the remainder of ‘FACE’ fares significantly better. ‘Alone’ is a triumph, its melancholy, murky guitar traces and Jimin’s quietened vocals taking you into the center of the loneliness the tune portrays, whether or not you perceive his phrases or not. ‘Face-off’ brings simply the fitting degree of intrigue, whereas the breathy, effervescent supply of ‘Like Loopy’ supplies some lightness, even when it nonetheless seems like gray clouds are hovering over it.
‘FACE’ won’t be flawless however even in its missteps it displays the turbulence of recent life – and particularly of the previous couple of years. If Jimin’s mission on this document was to stretch himself creatively and distil that dissonance in these songs, it’s one he’s completed.
Particulars
- Launch date: March 24, 2023
- File label: Huge Hit Music
