[Review] BTS Jimin’s ‘MUSE’ is an ode to his growth as a global artist
The multi-talented Bangtan Boy is back with an album that will soothe the hearts of global ARMY’s.
Images throughout: BIG HIT MUSIC.
Park Jimin (known professionally as Jimin) is the main dancer and lead vocalist of the Big Hit Entertainment septet BTS, who debuted on June 13, 2013 with their EP ‘2 Cool 4 Skool’. Coming a long way from the original 90s Hip Hop inspired sound that BTS were known for in their debut days, Jimin has come into his own as an artist and his growth as an individual and musician has been a privilege to watch thus far.
Currently serving in the Korean Military, undergoing his mandatory military service, Jimin has released his second solo album ‘MUSE’. Making his solo debut on March 24, 2023 with his mini album ‘FACE’, Jimin has returned with six new tracks and a previous fan favourite.
With two feature songs and a multi-talented team of producers behind the album, Jimin has gifted ARMY with a treat to fill their hearts and playlists while he’s away.
The first song on the album, “Rebirth (Intro)”, is a vibey track with powerful background vocals and simple repeated lyrics: ‘With you (x3), I will be your reason (x3).’ It’s difficult not to imagine this song being sung at a concert venue filled to the brim with excited ARMY and the iconic purple wave.
The accompanying strings throughout the intro add to the relaxed vibe which aims to settle fans into a 20-minute listening session with Jimin and his team.
Featuring production by Jimin himself, this track is also the perfect re-introduction to two other very talented producers who have previously written tracks for the Big Hit Music label — GHSTLOOP and Pdogg.
“Interlude: Showtime” is a fun instrumental introduction to the pre-release track, “Smeraldo Garden Marching Band.” At the end of the track Jimin, acting as an announcer, welcomes ARMY to this new era: ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to today’s show, Smeraldo Garden Marching Band.’
Long-time ARMYs will known how infectious Jimin’s energy can be.
Along with his vibrant energy and bright smile throughout the music video of the pre-release track, it’s clear that Jimin is having fun with this comeback — his silly energy is infectious and a joy to witness.
Produced by the aforementioned GHSTLOOP and Pdogg, this track also features production by Jimin and Big Hit Music producer EVAN who has worked closely with the BTS boys in the past, with credits on Jimin’s first solo release, ‘Face.’
“Smeraldo Garden Marching Band (feat. Loco)” was released on June 28, 2024, and lends a reference to the fictional flower “Smeraldo” which symbolises ‘the truth untold.’
This links the track with the BTS septet’s previous release “The Truth Untold”, featuring world-renowned DJ and record producer Steve Aoki from the group’s Love Yourself: ‘Tear’ album (2018).
With the lyrics explicitly referencing BTS’s debut: ‘It all began on June 12’, and shadowing lyrics from “The Truth Untold”: ‘Full of loneliness / This garden bloomed’ (‘I'll call out your name, all you have to do is blossom’ — “Smeraldo Garden Marching Band”) it’s clear that this is a song dedicated to BTS fans.
This link comes as no surprise to ARMY, as BTS are known for their strong lore and well-thought-out storylines throughout their music career.
Featuring a fun rap by South Korean AOMG rapper Loco and with production by GHSTLOOP, Pdogg, and American producers Tommy Brown and Mr. Franks, this track will get you up and marching around with your friends.
The music video that accompanies this pre-release single will leave you smiling from ear to ear. The candid nature of the vintage-style video which features a lush golden filter, flower motifs throughout, and a whimsical marching type dance, brings a positivity that is more than welcome.
Loco’s feature adds a relaxed and mature vibe to the song, though the ending dance scene is nothing short of adorable.
“Slow Dance (feat Sofia Carson)”, as the name suggests, is perfect to slow dance to. Featuring vocals from American actress and singer Sofia Carson, and production by GHSTLOOP, Pdogg, and British electronic music production duo Arcades, this track is the perfect mid-point to an already star-studded album.
On this lovely RnB/pop song, Jimin and Sofia Carson’s vocals are a gorgeous compliment to one another and the outro of this track is fittingly reminiscent of a noughties easy-listening track.
“Be Mine” is a sexy latin inspired track that feels the closest to Jimin’s first solo mini-album ‘Face’ — perhaps due in part to its producers being BTS veterans GHSTLOOP and Pdogg. This nice throwback ties together the two eras of Jimin’s solo, further showcasing his versatility as an artist.
“Who” is the title track of the album, and is hot from the get go. Jimin’s high vocals are a standout in this track and marry perfectly with the powerful music video that features sexy choreography and pyrotechnics. “Who” will get ARMY’s hearts racing for sure.
I do find it a shame that big-name Korean artists such as Jimin seem to be reverting to fully-english title tracks for their recent releases. The vibrancy and cultural gravitas of Korean artists using the Korean language within their songs is often lost for the sake of an easy-to-sing chart-topper for the enjoyment of foreign, non-Korean speaking fans.
While the track is produced mostly by a team of Americans (Jon Bellion, Pete Nappi and Tenroc), it would have been nice to celebrate Jimin’s roots as a Korean artist with even just a few lines in his native language, whose syllabic nature lends itself so beautifully to songs of this nature.
Despite this, “Who” is one of the most commanding tracks on the album and is the embodiment of Jimin as a solo artist.
The album’s outro, “Closer Than This”, was previously released in December, 2023, as a Festive gift for ARMY’s — a tradition that Jimin has upheld for several years since the groups ‘Soundcloud Days’.
With production by GHSTLOOP, Ayo the Producer, and Kofo, this track is the perfect marriage of long-time K-pop producers and those that are fresh faces to the K-pop space.
Chosen as the outro to an album that is both an ode to Jimin’s growth as an artist and his dedication to ARMY, “Closer Than This” provides comfort to fans who are eagerly awaiting Jimin’s return.
He promises ARMY: ‘I won’t ever let you go’ — a sentiment that will go far in the hearts of dedicated fans.
Following on from the BTS member’s first solo release, ‘MUSE’ has provided fans another insight into the musical prowess and infectious personality of Jimin. While ARMY eagerly awaits Jimin’s return from the military, this album will ensure fans don’t feel too disconnected from their favourite boys.
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