BTS Solo Members' Albums: A Non-Army Listener's Perspective

In this article, I share my experience of listening to the solo debuts of BTS members as a non-army listener. After a year of hiatus, I set out to explore their solo projects with no emotional attachment or preconceived notions. This article focuses on the music and my personal reactions to albums, rather than a critical review.

Introduction

The context of this journey began when my daughter, a strong ARMY (BTS fan), convinced me to take a break from BTS music. Despite my initial resistance, I ended up discovering the solo debuts of J-Hope, RM, TMZ, Dasom, and Jungkook. This article will provide a detailed overview of my listening experience and personal ratings for each album.

J-Hope's Jack In The Box

Initial Impression: Upon first listening to Jack In The Box at the Lollapalooza concert, I was overwhelmed with emotion. I felt a profound connection to the music and the stage presence of the artist.

Really this is a BTS member. This man is teaching modern music industry a lesson! This man is the future of Hip Hop! This is what music is about! This is how music is supposed to be done! This is what passion is about!

From a musical standpoint, J-Hope brought me back to the present by making me travel through time. His stage presence and charisma were infectious, and each song felt intimate and emotionally charged. The album was well-received, with no shortage of memorable tracks and a strong overall impression.

RM's Indigo

First Thought: When my daughter played Wild Flower in the car, I felt RM's distinctive voice immediately. The album was a pleasant surprise, full of charm, depth, and emotion. RM's songwriting skills were impressive, and the album received a perfect score of 10/10.

This album is beautiful! The voice is so charming, profound, and hypnotic, filled with emotions. Each song conveys a unique essence, and the entire album is a remarkable musical journey.

TMZ's FACE

Initial Reaction: The first track, "Set Me Free (Part.2)," had an instant impact. However, as I delved deeper into the album, I found it increasingly difficult to connect emotionally. Despite the artistic touches and a memorable title track, the album was disappointing overall, garnering only 5/10 for its artistic effort and memory-lasting impact.

The album is definitely not for me. However, from an artistic standpoint, there were interesting elements that saved the overall experience for me.

Jungkook's Golden

Initial Impression: Anticipation built as I waited for Jungkook's solo debut, which received a lot of hype from the ARMY. I approached the album with a neutral perspective, hoping to avoid the common pitfalls of modern pop music.

It is not my usual music taste, but I listened to some Bruno Mars sometimes so why not. However, the album was a disappointment, with catchy but soulless lyrics and repetitive melodies. 0 artistry, 0 creativity, and 0 personality. The only redeeming factor is Jungkook's improved vocal performance.

Despite the low rating, I still found a few standout tracks, but overall, the album was a letdown.

Conclusion

The journey of exploring BTS solo projects as a non-army listener was both enlightening and challenging. Each album offered unique insights into the individuality and talents of the members. While some albums resonated deeply, others fell short of expectations. As I await more solo projects, I look forward to seeing how the members evolve as solo artists in their own right.