Jungkook has finally released his debut solo album, so I had to listen and share my thoughts.
3D ft. Jack harlow
The only version of this song I can listen to is the one without Jack Harlow’s part. I can’t stand that rap and it ruins the song in my opinion. Besides that, I can’t deny that it is catchy and a fun listen. But the version that is on this album is the one with Harlow, so my star rating reflects that. Also, I hate that this is the album opener. Seven would have been better, and more symbolic.
Closer to You ft. Major lazer
This is definitely a track that an artist would partner with a DJ to do. In general, I like the song, although there was one part where Jungkook’s singing fell out of rhythm with the instrumental and just sounded too disjointed for me. This song also sounds more like a Major Lazer ft. Jung Kook song honestly.
Seven ft. Latto
The song has grown on me since it first came out. I prefer the clean version because it sounds like the original to me. Like the lyrics were intentionally supposed to be “loving”. The explicit version makes me laugh at that lyric change.
Standing Next To You
As my best friend said, “What in the Michael Jackson?” The song is better on a second listen for me as after watching the video I wasn’t super into it. I do think it would be better as just a b-side than as a title track, and Seven should have been the title track. But I understand why they made Seven a pre-release instead.
Yes or No
Again, as my best friend said, “It sounds like a Jesse McCartney song.” And it really does and, for me, it is hard to get past that. Overall I’m not a big fan of it because it is just so generic Western pop sounding and thus boring. Jungkook can, and has, done better.
Please Don’t Change ft. DJ Snake
Another DJ song, and again it sounds like a DJ Snake ft. Jungkook track. And I generally enjoy this style of music, but it was more of my taste a decade ago so it just sounds overdone and old to me. Between the two DJ songs, they are pretty equal for me overall. I like this instrumental a bit more I think.
Hate You
I don’t know why, but parts of the lyrics made me cringe. It’s also another generic Western pop song to me that is reminiscent of music from when I was in middle and high school over a decade ago. I’m already not a big fan of ballads, so I’ll just skip this song in the future.
Somebody
The instrumental of this song saved it for me. I’m still not wow’ed by it in any way, but I do like the chorus.
Too Sad to Dance
First 30 seconds and my first thought was “This sounds like Ed Sheeran”. And funny enough, this is not the song that Ed Sheeran has credits on. And I find Ed Sheeran-style music is a hard sell when it isn’t done by the man himself. So I wasn’t a big fan of this song.
Shot Glass of Tears
For me, this is the most interesting song on the whole album. It’s also my favorite song on the album, which is frankly not a big feat given my thoughts shared above. I’d be most interested in re-listening to this song.
Overall Rating
Unfortunately, Golden is my least favorite album from the BTS solo debuts. It is way too generic Western pop-influenced to the point where so many songs make me think of an artist other than Jungkook. It is abundantly clear that no one at Big Hit was on the music production team. It isn’t that Jungkook sounds bad or anything, but I know he could have had a much more interesting album. I have no desire to listen to this album again, which has never been the case with every other BTS member.
Have you listened to Golden? Tell me your favorite track below!
