Jackson Wang made his highly anticipated comeback on July 18 with his third studio album, ‘MAGICMAN 2′. An album entirely written and produced by Wang, it followed a year-long break he took to introspect and focus on his life. The singer had been teasing the album since earlier this year with hints and pre-release singles. But what makes the album especially exciting for Indian fans is his collaboration with Diljit Dosanjh on one of the tracks. Adding to the buzz, the artist also took part in a week-long promotional tour in India, appearing in interviews and podcasts hosted by prominent internet personalities.
For an album that’s raw, vulnerable, stripped back, and at least three years in the making, let’s take a look at the musical world of Jackson Wang’s ‘MAGICMAN 2′.
‘MAGICMAN 2‘ Album Review
‘MAGICMAN 2‘ consists of 11 tracks and presents a new side to Jackson Wang and his personal experiences. It is an out-and-out experimentation with sounds and styles, allowing the singer to find his groove anew. Even with the song durations, Jackson Wang explores two extremes—from a track over five minutes long to one under two minutes. It takes both art and appeal to pack emotion and expression within minutes, and Jackson Wang has artfully achieved that with his latest musical offering.
‘MAGICMAN 2‘ opens with the pre-release single, ‘High Alone.‘ The music is atmospheric and sonically appealing, as we see Jackson Wang face his inner demons and try to escape the negativity. As the song concludes, there’s a trippy edge to the music, signaling a break from the pattern and setting the tone for what’s to come.
Building on that momentum, the next song, ‘Not For Me,‘ is a heady mix of music and relatable lyrics. Jackson’s breathy vocals are surrounded by relaxed yet hypnotic beats, evoking a lingering, dream-like feeling.
Following this, the album moves into its shortest track, ‘Access.‘ Beginning with the sound of a knock, the song picks up pace, launching into a faster pace than its predecessors.
Maintaining that energy, Jackson Wang moves into a groovy dance number, ‘BUCK,‘ featuring Diljit Dosanjh, one of the most unexpected and surprising collaborations he has done so far. The song is a classic East-meets-West presentation that gives us the best of both worlds—Jackson’s English verses alongside Diljit’s Punjabi ones. Both artists complement each other’s unique energy, which goes a long way in making the song an engaging listen.
The fifth song, ‘GBAD,‘ features a music video that is as eccentric as its title. The track is bold, provocative, and strangely grounding in reality. Emphasizing the message of shedding people-pleasing tendencies—even if it means becoming the villain in someone else’s story—the song reveals a side of Jackson Wang we haven’t seen before.
‘Hate to Love‘ brings us back to the R&B roots that Jackson Wang is known to pack into his albums. The song carries an eerie feeling, which is reflected in its music video, where Wang appears alone, looking directly at the camera as he sings. Next up, ‘One Time‘ gently takes the listener’s hand and leads them into a hypnotic world of nostalgia, as analog-like narration intersperses with Wang’s vocals. Following that, ‘Everything‘ starts slow, with orchestral piano notes setting the stage for an emotional ballad. Wang pours his heart out as he sings and laments about, well, everything.
The next track, ‘Dear:,‘ will remind you of your dear ones. It consists entirely of a voice recording of Jackson’s parents as they express concern and worry over his well-being. The track sets the stage for the penultimate song, ‘Sophie & Ricky’—an ode to Wang’s parents and an expression of gratitude from a child to his mother and father. Emotionally heavy with a touch of retro tunes, ‘Sophie & Ricky’ invokes a sense of nostalgia.
The final song of the album, ‘Made Me a Man’, is the focus track of the album and features a music video that was released alongside the album on July 18. It sums up Wang’s journey so far in just under four minutes, with the music arranged as a stage for his vocals to shine. Soft R&B beats course through the song, creating a mellow vibe as it gently progresses to a thoughtful conclusion.
Concluding thoughts on Jackson Wang’s ‘MAGICMAN 2’
Overall, Jackson Wang’s ‘MAGICMAN 2’ is an album that moves from darkness to light. He divides the album into four chapters: Manic Highs, Losing Control, Realization, and Acceptance. Each chapter outlines a journey that travels from grief to awareness, and eventually, to acceptance and gratitude. We see a clear progression in the emotions, lyrics, and music of each track, as Jackson confronts new emotions and navigates his way forward. He has fallen, made mistakes, and regretted his choices, but he did not let those failures hold him back. He learned from them, picked himself up, and rose again. Jackson Wang’s ‘MAGICMAN 2’ acts as a mirror for anyone who’s been in a similar place. It serves as a wake-up call for those wishing things were different, and a space of calm and comfort for those who have long fought their battles.
The first half of the album offers a razzmatazz mix of genres and sounds, where Jackson’s vocals sometimes fade into the background as the erratic energy of the music takes center stage. However, in the second half, we see Jackson’s vocals take the spotlight, as music takes a step back. In these tracks, music becomes an accessory rather than the highlight. This shift from musical experimentation to vocal focus also reflects Jackson’s personal choices of reflecting on his past and focusing on himself.
The experimental nature of narration and composition in this album highlights just how versatile Jackson Wang is. ‘MAGICMAN 2’ marks the end of an era, but also signals the beginning of a new chapter, one where Wang emerges as an evolved and enlightened version of his former self.
In Jackson Wang’s words, “live the magic, everyone.”
Written by: Nandini Iyengar
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