As a seasoned K-pop fan with over a decade of fandom under my belt, I can confidently say that Jaehyun’s debut solo album, ‘J’, is a breath of fresh air in the R&B genre. His ability to infuse classic styles with contemporary beats creates an undeniable allure that resonates deeply.
Editor’s Comment: On the previous day, SM Entertainment shared via their social media platform that NCT’s member Taeil had left the band following allegations of his involvement in a criminal case concerning a sexual offense. Prior to this revelation, Jaehyun was interviewed.
“Jaehyun playfully says, ‘Take a leap of faith if you’re feeling it,’ as he initiates our late-night Zoom call from Seoul, alluding to the first line in his newest song, ‘Smoke.'”
A 27-year-old K-Pop sensation, who’s part of SM Entertainment’s massive band NCT and its subgroups NCT 127 and DoJaeJung, has just dropped his first solo album titled “J“.
As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but rave about this eight-track album that’s got me hooked! It boasts the lead single “Smoke,” available in both Korean and English, serving up irresistible R&B tunes. The moody track “Roses” resonates deeply with its poignant post-relationship emotions, while “Flamin’ Hot Lemon,” an upbeat tune that Jaehyun co-wrote and composed, offers a delightful contrast. Remarkably, the album maintains a consistent sound yet manages to keep each song feeling uniquely fresh.
“Jaehyun states that he aimed for this album to have a timeless, enduring quality so that it remains enjoyable as time goes by,” he says. “The genres and styles you’ll hear in this album are those I currently favor, but with a touch of the classic.”
The artist has been diligently crafting his upcoming album “J” for quite a while now, with the work on it dating back to December. Interestingly enough, even though this is his debut album, he has already shared individual tracks through different ventures under SM Entertainment or NCT. As a fun tidbit, Jaehyun casually mentioned that the timing of the album release was “destined,” as he had previously released songs in August.
Jaehyun collaborated on six out of eight songs in the album. He says, “I often used to improvise music with my musically-inclined friends, not exactly write songs, but just play around.” This casual jamming was where it all began for him, and as time went by, he found himself delving deeper into the craft of songwriting and composition.
Jaehyn, who’s 27 years old, believes that by immersing himself in the creative process, he can help fans grasp his unique musical preferences more effectively. He finds it much more straightforward to show rather than tell, as he puts it.
“He goes on to express that it’s truly rewarding to be involved in the music. He’s particularly pleased with the songs he contributed to this album. Furthermore, he appreciates the wonderful compositions credited to other writers as well,” or simply, “He finds it fulfilling to engage in making music and is happy about the tracks he worked on for this album, also expressing gratitude for the lovely contributions of other songwriters.”
Among the tracks, there’s “Can’t Get You,” the standout of the album, both sonically and for Jaehyun. This song was created and penned by R&B icon Kenny ‘Babyface‘ Edmonds, who Jaehyun reveals he has long admired. “[From] his classic albums to his more recent ones where he collaborated with numerous female vocalists,” the singer underscores, referring to Babyface’s 2022 album Girls Night Out, which featured collaborations with emerging female artists.
“The singer remarks that it was a significant moment for him as he contributed to one of his songs and it ended up being featured on my album,” he states.
Currently, Jaehyun’s preferred song is “Smoke.” He mentions this because he was recently discussing its movie version, which triggered the thought. In a playful manner, he comments, “It’s a different song every 10 minutes.”
Jaehyun, who’s accustomed to collaborative work, admitted that he experienced a mix of feelings while producing his solo album, encompassing “concerns” and “thrill”. He recommends watching his newly released short documentary, titled “The Journey of ‘J’“, available on NCT’s YouTube channel, as it provides insights into the emotions he encountered during the album creation process.
“Jaehyun begins by saying, ‘It’s truly inspiring because our album was released yesterday.’ He’s referring to the excitement among his fans for the new release. ‘The outpouring of love and all the comments from my supporters… I feel deeply grateful to see them enjoying the album, resonating with the same feelings as me, or grooving along to their favorite songs.'”
The artist admits that he experienced more pressure than anyone else regarding potential new fans, expressing his affection for the audience appreciating his album. He adds that he hoped the people, especially the new listeners, would be intrigued by the album or a movie of it and question things like, “Who is this?” “What’s this voice?” or “What kind of mood is this?” as he clarifies.
Since making his debut in 2016, the 27-year-old has had time to consider his career journey. When asked for advice he’d give his younger self, Jaehyun pauses to think before saying, “I would tell myself, ‘You’re doing great, just keep it up.'”
“He notes, ‘Life always presents alternative paths, alternative plans.’ However, he admits, his actions would likely mirror past choices. He promises to give his all and remain dedicated. Pondering this perspective truly sets one apart.”
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2024-08-29 15:26