With a fusion of nostalgia, heartache and retro-pop, “Golden” by Jungkook will bring you on a journey of romance like no other.
Jungkook is the youngest of the seven members of K-pop boy band BTS, and he is the last to release a full solo album after the group went on hiatus to attend mandatory military service.
I have always loved his ability to represent a multitude of genres through his airy, yet powerful vocals. He can truly make you feel emotion like no other, and has successfully done so in “Golden.”
“Golden” was released last Thursday, and consists of 11 tracks. I applaud Jungkook for creating such a diverse collection of music and for exposing his audience to styles of music.
What immediately stood out to me after hearing all the songs was how versatile the collection is.
I can picture myself dancing to some of these songs in a party with the lights dimmed and a crowd surrounding me. However, I can picture myself listening to the others and sobbing on the bathroom floor.
I still remember talking to my sister on FaceTime the moment the album dropped, screaming as soon as I picked up the phone. We’ve gotten extremely close because of K-pop, so this release gave us another reason to bond and squeal over how much we love Jungkook and this album.
“Seven (ft. Latto),” the first track, was released as a single prior to the release of the album. Its summer-like vibe, upbeat style and Latto’s inclusion definitely makes it easy to enjoy.
I still remember my jaw dropping after watching the music video, which features South Korean actress Han So-Hee. I remember her starring in the K-drama “Nevertheless,” which I absolutely loved.
The song introduces a new, more mature side of Jungkook, with a lustful theme and complex choreography. However, knowing Jungkook and his previous performances, I had a good feeling the dance for the track would be outstanding.
“3D (ft. Jack Harlow)” was a totally unexpected release, especially with the lyrics Harlow adds, such as “all my ABGs get cute for me.” It immediately reminded me of Justin Timberlake, with its funky beat and Jungkook’s breathy tone.
The music video is something I’ve already watched about 30 times. It’s addicting, featuring a gorgeous Jungkook dancing in Y2K-style outfits and boots in the rain.
“Standing Next to You,” is definitely the catchiest song on the entire album, and the music video is a clear tribute to the dancing style of Michael Jackson. It showcases a pop and lock dance form, brilliant choreography and a complex melody that is constantly in my head.
Jungkook wears a beautiful black studded jacket in the video, his crisp dancing perfectly matching the trumpets and his falsetto weaving in and out of the beat effortlessly.
I was immediately reminded of older Disney movies after listening to “Yes or No,” which was written by Ed Sheeran. Its romantic, nostalgic feel takes me to the 2000s, and I often find myself humming it throughout the day.
My favorite part of the song is when he sings, “Something about you / Do you feel the way I do,” and “That’s magic in the room / Tell me do you feel it too?” The melody is stunning, and his voice truly displays the sweet tone of the song.
“Shot Glass of Tears” is easily my favorite song on the album. I’ve fallen in love with the piano that decorates Jungkook’s stunning vocals and creates an emotional feeling of heartache.
“Tell me am I ever gonna heal again,” is the lyric that stands out to me, as Jungkook’s voice wavers and hits you straight in the heart. It truly is a heartbreaking ballad, which are always my favorite to listen and sing along to.
“Closer to you” sounds like it is straight out of a crowded nightclub. Its quick beat, mysterious melody and Jungkook’s breathy words are truly captivating throughout the song.
While the melody of the song is not my favorite and the lyrics are repetitive, Major Lazor adds a unique touch to the song that Jungkook has not shared before.
I stopped in my tracks and paused “Somebody” the second I started listening to it. Jungkook does not sound like himself at all in the beginning, his voice deep and nasal-like.
Despite sounding like a completely different artist in this song, I do love the elements Jungkook adds in the track and the power in his voice as he delivers the lyrics of the song.
Another song that has me crying like a baby is “Hate You,” with its painful lyrics sharing the story of pretending to hate an ex. Even before searching up the writers of the track, I was reminded of Shawn Mendes and his older music.
The song is totally Mendes’ style, presenting heavy feelings in a beautifully written ballad. The chords of the piano make me almost choke up, and the lyrics “I’m gonna hate you / Paint you like the villain that you never were,” leaving me shattered.
As someone who has always enjoyed Jungkook’s vocal capabilities, this album was something I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved how Jungkook experimented with various styles and presented an entirely new version of himself.
While I do miss Jungkook creating music fully in Korean, I applaud him for taking risks and working with different artists to create a beautiful collection of work. I would say overall, my favorite pieces are the slower, more emotional ones, in comparison to the faster dance-hits.
In its unique blend of emotion, crisp dance moves and heartfelt ballads, I think “Golden” successfully captures Jungkook’s multifaceted artistry and charisma - the work of a golden artist indeed.
