Jaehyun of NCT recently released his debut solo album, J, which exceeded expectations and the standard of singers of NCT. Since J is his first solo album, Jaehyun had to go through all the processes himself. He contributed to writing the lyrics and melodies as well as the album direction and the album title, J, to reflect his true self.
J features eight songs in Korean and English which cover love stories in various angels. The opening track, Smoke, has two versions, in Korean and English. Smoke is a beautiful blend of hip-hop and R&B and features a captivating melody. The lyrics express his admiration for a woman and a desire to ask her out. Jaehyun's vocals are both powerful and his singing showcases a remarkable vocal range. Moreover, the verses in Smoke are smooth and seductive with his low voice.
The songs Dandelion and Roses are named after flowers, but their lyrics convey different meanings. Dandelion is a vibrant song about a happy memory. However, Roses tells the story of a guy who finds that roses trigger memories of a bad breakup. In Dandelion, Jaehyun's vocals are absolutely stunning while he expresses his pain impressively in Roses.
Can't Get You is a mid-tempo R&B song infused with jazz elements. The song is enchanting with soothing vocals, blended with a harmonious chorus and the elegance of the saxophone.
The sound and composition of J are the result of a refined production process which offers something different from typical K-pop hits. It is well worthing listening to and listeners will surely replay the album again and again.
The music video for Smoke. photos courtesy of SM True Thailand
