Jimin’s ‘Muse’: Every Song Ranked

A really cool musical second to introduce the listener to the “Smeraldo Marching Band” (which we’ll formally meet later within the album), the interlude will get the final rank as a result of it’s simply over a minute that deprives us of Jimin’s flawless vocals on his solo album. Nonetheless, it’s a compelling inventive alternative and paying homage to how Christina Aguilera launched the second disc on her Again to Fundamentals double album with “Enter the Circus,” a equally carnival-inspired, spoken-word interlude.

Longtime ARMY followers know the mysterious Smeraldo flowers got here into the BTS universe in 2017 across the band’s breakthrough Love Your self: Her period. Jimin launched his Muse period with the pre-release buzz monitor “Smeraldo Backyard Marching Band” as a easy, feel-good ode to like to set the tone for his forthcoming solo document. The playful rhythmical manufacturing with pitched-up vocal samples is a pointy distinction to “Set Me Free Pt. 2,” an ominous opus that launched Jimin’s first solo document, Face, final 12 months to ascertain the brighter place the star finds himself at present.

With the monitor’s shiny and bouncy nature, Jimin sounds positively excitable, delivering lyrics like, “Mmm I like you, babe…/ I would like you, babe/ I wanna maintain your fingers” — the final line marking only one instance of the monitor taking inspiration from The Beatles and their 1967 album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Membership Band. Korean rapper Loco seamlessly slides into the second verse to carry a world replace to an iconic album and musical period.

Jimin opens Muse with an intimate gospel-inspired ambiance to indicate his “Rebirth” on this new document. The intro monitor’s introspective dialogue (“If I’m making an attempt to be particular/ Can I get nearer to you?”) ignites the romantic tone that underscores the album’s give attention to love and private progress. Jimin’s craving for connection, and utilizing it as a way for self-improvement by love, shines to make the introductory monitor a heartfelt prelude to the album’s deeper themes. The tune closes with him singing, “I will likely be particular all for you/ Particular only for you…I wanna be with you” over the hums of a choir.

After Jimin launched considered one of 2023’s finest and biggest-selling Ok-pop albums with Face, the celebrity closed his exceptional 12 months with this candy, fan-dedicated tune telling listeners: “Anytime you need me, I’ll be/ Proper right here the place you name me, I’ll be/ I can by no means allow you to go” simply after he enlisted for his necessary navy duties as a heartfelt reward in the course of the time away.

A soothing mix of what seems like acoustic guitar blended right into a refined hip-hop beat, “Nearer Than This” closes out Muse as its remaining monitor by properly wrapping up the general sentiments of affection and intimacy throughout the album for a heat, remaining message for followers to carry on to as they anticipate Jimin’s return in lower than a 12 months.

From the sudden collaborator in Sofia Carson to a stunning saxophone flourish on the finish, “Sluggish Dance” is a pleasant duet delivering a candy shock on the midway level of Muse. Jimin’s signature feathery excessive notes intertwine with Carson’s whispery, barely raspy vocals (which sound as if she recorded them with Jimin in thoughts) to create a dreamy ambiance. With smooth and mawkish melodies and a refreshing R&B groove, the monitor showcases new aspects of each artists’ music palettes for each a relaxing and charming hear.

One other daring, musical departure with Latin and Afrobeat inspirations, “Be Mine” may have simply served as the principle single of Muse — or perhaps a BTS monitor, given the numerous style and magnificence shifts all through it.

With assured and seductive lyrics (like “I do know what you need, and child, I would like the identical” or “Child, come/ Present me what, present me what love is”), Jimin embraces a extra mature expression of affection on the standout monitor. His vocal efficiency is undeniably commanding over the sultry, rhythmic manufacturing and can undoubtedly be one of many high tracks followers look ahead to seeing stay sooner or later.

Jimin made Billboard chart historical past when “Like Loopy” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Scorching 100, a first-of-its-kind achievement for Korean-pop artists. With the lead single of Muse, “Who” sees the celebrity as soon as once more breaking new floor together with his first-ever solo English single. From the verses in his decrease register to drawn-out falsetto belts, the one pushes Jimin’s vocal limits all through an emotive efficiency. It makes for one of the vital compelling listens in pop this 12 months.

With clear sonic inspirations from the ’00s productions of the Neptunes and Timbaland, “Who” reminds listeners of the worldwide celebrity Jimin has change into. Co-produced by and supported with background vocals from Jon Bellion (who is understood for crafting profitable crossover tracks with different Ok-pop artists like Jackson Wang, Rosé and BTS’ different Scorching 100 chart-topper Jung Kook), “Who” expresses each romantic longing as Jimin sings, “Wish to give her the world and a lot extra,” in addition to and confusion, asking: “If I every single day I take into consideration her, yeah every single day of my life/ Then inform me why I haven’t discovered her?” Total, the tune finest encapsulates the vary of romance dissected on Muse whereas exemplifying how far Jimin has come as an more and more fuller artist.