“FACE” - Jimin Album Review
With his debut solo album, Jimin of BTS takes us through a whirlwind of emotions and sounds as he explores different sides of himself that no one was ready for.
Having all the expectations and pressure of releasing music as a solo artist coming from the biggest Korean boy band, Jimin did it with such ease and confidence that it makes you excited to listen. And clearly, ARMY felt the same way, as with this debut he became the first solo artist in Hanteo History to surpass over 1 million first-day sales of an album.
The album opens with "Face-off," where the carnival melody sets you up for something totally unexpected and catches you completely off guard until the classic breathy voice of Jimin fades in. The song is a beautiful blend of Korean and English lyrics, transcending the limits of language and rather shifting the focus to how the music makes you feel.
Although the sonic elements of the album are what initially set it apart, don't expect to ignore some of the incredible lyricism. With lyrics crafted by BTS leader, RM, there is a mutual understanding between Jimin and the listener — that these words are incredibly personal.
The second track is an interlude that allows the listener to calm down after the storm of the first song. “Interlude: Dive” is a gorgeous instrumental melody that features his introduction speech from the BTS Busan 2022 Concert, suggesting this was a special moment for him (as it was the group’s last concert before their hiatus.)
The interlude blends perfectly into the lead single “Like Crazy,” giving us an 80s synth/ dance-pop vibe. This song showcases Jimin’s artistic identity the best in which he portrays a more sexy and dreamy side of himself, surprising many people. It is worth mentioning that this is the only track on the album released in both English and Korean versions.
“Alone” is the album’s sole mid-tempo song, a genre of which many fans were expecting to see more of. This song changes the pace of the album and serves as a point of reflection for the listener; allowing you to recollect your thoughts and contemplate what you have heard. Jimin’s feelings are carried very well through his vocals, which adds a lot of sonic depth to this song.
“Set Me Free Pt. 2,” the pre-release single, picks the energy right back up with the bold production and auto-tune voice modification.
Sadly, one of the best tracks of the album “편지 (Letter),” is only offered on the CD version. This song is a clear love letter to ARMY.
The song’s bridge leaves your jaw dropped as it comes unexpectedly, breaking through the sweet guitar melody. It also includes background vocals from the youngest member of BTS, Jungkook, which many fans were excited to notice.
The album is very short with only six tracks (seven including the CD version) which leaves you feeling a bit unsatisfied. With it being his debut album, fans were able to get a good look at what Jimin can achieve on his own and look forward to his future as a solo artist.
Rating: 7/10
Reviewer’s Favorite Tracks: “Face-off,” & “Alone”
Reviewer’s Least Favorite Track: “Set Me Free Pt. 2”
Madison Rush is a first-year majoring in public relations. To contact her, email mkr5957@psu.edu.
