As the fans of BTS, ARMY, rejoiced at the return of the group’s eldest member, Jin, from the military, what they also waited for was some new music from the singer. And now, he has finally brought it out in the form of his first full-length album, ‘Happy’. It is exciting; it is diverse and surely, it is a heartfelt gift to the ARMY from Jin. The album promises what its name suggests – a ‘happy’ surprise for the artist’s fans.
Featuring six tracks, ‘Happy’ is a musical letter from Jin as he pens down varied thoughts and messages he wishes to bring out after his military service. The songs on the album are ‘Running Wild’, ‘I’ll Be There’, ‘Another Level’, ‘Falling’, ‘Heart on the Window ( with WENDY)’, and ‘I will come to you’. The album has an overarching touch of the pop-rock tone, but the themes and the flow of every song manage to bring diversity to the album. The songs range in feelings from the perfect dance-worthy tracks and pure love expressions to heartfelt encouragements. The uniqueness that makes every song stand apart sits well as Jin brings them all together beautifully, giving it an almost narrative flow.
The album begins with the song ‘Running Wild’. A rock track with energetic instrumental tunes of drums and guitar, the song gives a hopeful energy to Jin’s promise of endless love for his fans. Through soft and heartfelt lyrics, the artist conveys his sincere promise of loving the fans as always in this song. The song also inspires the listeners to live freely and love endlessly even during the toughest of times. The sincerity and the heartfelt promise that Jin makes in this song with lines like “Lovin’ like it’s made for us” set a strong, loveable tone for the rest of the album, telling the fans of Jin’s intention to bring out soft and pure emotions through this album. Gary Barlow, the famous music artist of the British rock band ‘Take That’ took part in this song as the producer.
The song also has a music video which gives a visual structure to the song’s message and emotions. The video shows a world full of chaos as it is the last day on earth. Jin is seen with his dog, unfazed and hopeful to love endlessly till the end of the world. The comforting voice and visuals of Jin amidst the crippling world in the MV give a message of hope and love to the fans.
Next on the album is ‘I’ll Be There’, a song that fits in the mould of a rock song perfectly. The singer’s energy manifests in a loveable feeling as he promises his fans to be there for them through this song. ‘Happy’ is the central emotion and the message of the song as Jin tells his fans musically that he will stay the same for them, being there for the fans at all times. The musicality of this song makes it a track of the pop-rock genre. Famous American singer MAX collaborated with Jin in the writing of this song.
This song was released as a pre-release track of the album on October 25, 2024. A music video of the track was also unveiled on the same day. The video carries a delightful spirit that makes the viewer groove and get engrossed in the tunes of the song.
A voice that motivates to reach heights and fight against all odds to move forward – this is what the song ‘Another Level’ is all about. The rock tone of the album takes a valorous and powerful avatar in this song, which is complemented by a wave of moving lyrics. This is the kind of song that brings one out of their dark times, with Jin extending a hand of support for his fans through lyrics like “Even if the harsh storm blows harder, I’ll take one more step”. An exciting electric break ends the song on a powerful note, filling the listeners with a drive to achieve it all.
A heart brimming with love has eager emotions awaiting to be heard by the lover. The next song on the album, ‘Falling’ catches this feeling just precisely. Jin gives the rock genre a twist and brings out his love through zestful rock beats. The song goes slow as the singer explains the inner turmoils of his heart, moving to stronger tones in the chorus as Jin declares to his lover “I want you with my whole heart”. The rushed and confusing feelings of love are caught well in Jin’s vocals and song lyrics. Renowned artists Taka and Toru of the Japanese band ONE OK ROCK have made it more special with their musical contributions to the song.
‘Heart on the Window (with WENDY)’ is one of the album’s highlight tracks due to its special duet collaboration and the heartwarming feelings of love in the song. The track feels like a dream as the soft vocals of Jin and Red Velvet’s WENDY complement each other commendably. WENDY, known for her unmatchable vocal qualities, adds glitter and charm to the song. From keeping love in his heart, Jin now moves to sharing pure love and promising to fall more and more in love through ‘Heart on the Window’. The song brings out the heartfelt emotions of lovers as they promise to love better and more deeply. The rock tone of the album continues in this song as well, but it adorns the unique and soft retro-pop touch to make it stand apart from the other tracks on the album.
The album comes after a long wait by the fans for Jin to return from his military service. The longing, feelings of missing, and reminiscing manifested as the last song of the album ‘I will come to you’ (‘그리움에’, meaning ‘In Longing/Yearning in Korean). Jin sang his heart out in this song and portrayed his emotions as he missed the fans and longed to get back to them when he was in the military. Remembering all the special moments he shared with fans that came to a halt due to his commitments, the artist wrote this song when he was enlisted and was missing his fans. Details like the snowing on the day he enlisted, and a promise to return in the warm spring make the song heart-touching for the ARMY as they experience Jin’s sincere feelings. This song takes a break from the rock genre of the album, using emotional and flowy piano tunes. This ballad-like song brings the listeners to the album’s end with Jin’s earnest words – “I promise I will come to you/ If you need me, I will come to you”.
‘Happy’ largely feels like Jin’s earnest attempts to express his wishes to his fans musically. His messages of love, hope, encouragement, and longing beautifully come together as one album that always wishes and prays for the ARMY to be happy! Musical experts such as Jacob Attwooll, Josh Record, Ryan Carline, Pdogg, GHSTLOOP, Martin Masarov, EVAN, Max Lynedoch Graham, Matt Thomson, Joshua Thompson, Leon Else, and many more have been vital parts of the album.
Jin’s ‘Happy’ attempts to make and fulfill promises, love endlessly, and move forward with hope. Jin’s vocals and his musical contributions in writing and creating the songs in the album declare his strong love for his fans. With all that he had to say through this album, Jin has surely made a ‘happy’ return and fans are just rejoicing in the artist’s musical gift to them!
Written by: Eeshna Dashottar
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