REVIEW: JIN - HAPPY EP

4/5

Happier Than Ever

Happy days are back for BTS member Jin and the ARMY of the "worldwide handsome" idol's fans. The mandatory military service is completed and 'The Astronaut' is back. Out of this world for his debut EP, 'Happy', on HYBE for your big hits. 'Running Wild', one man and his dog, the perfect cinema date for a sci-fi movie, and a soaring new single, singing in English, "There's a way/There's a way that we can fly again/Remember how we used to love back then/Living like we had no end/Let's stay out all night/Out all night until we see the sun/Remember how we used to long ago/We can miss." Here's the hope you've been waiting for in a world run cold. Not to mention the cutest dog, that could save anyone. Just see the opening act of the 'John Wick' franchise.

The second single, 'I'll Be There' featuring MAX and 1960s bubblegum, is classic Korean pop, even if it is also sung in English to reach an even wider world fanbase. Although a Korean version is also available. Harmonizing, "All these busy people/How does anyone get by in this tough world/Oh-oh-oh (Oh-oh-oh)/Giving something greater than just the little things/That’s what I live for." All for that inspiration amongst the ignorance that we were just telling you about. His mother tongue and his second language are mixed on the rest of the blue and 'Happy' polka dot album artwork. Taking it to 'Another Level' with lyrics like, "Don't be scared/나 때론 무너져도/한 걸음/(We'll bounce back and hit, bounce back and hit)/나 이제/저 빛을 향해서 걸어/한 발 더/(We'll bounce back and hit another level)." After returning from the shaved head and salute of his time in the real army, consider this a rebirth for him, and us. All in a time when we need the hope of change again.

After the atmospheric '네게 닿을 때까지', Jin gives us the uplifting 'Heart On The Window' featuring 웬디 (Wendy of Red Velvet). Super like Tuna as they sing "I love you better" together and "More every minute/More every hour/Oh, 꿈인 듯이/하얗게 서린 맘의 창 위에/짙게 새겨둔/You and me, ah." But it's the compelling closer '그리움에', where we hear Jin at his most beautiful, all in Korean, over profound piano. Now Jin is back, and his music released, all BTS members have released extended plays, many two, after their extended hiatus. Even this year, we've already seen and heard from leader RM ('Right Place, Wrong Person') and Jimin ('Muse') again, after Jungkook and V's late charge last year. Are you sure you don't want to hear more monuments from the stars? Take that, like 'Running Wild' produced by Gary Barlow, or all the memes about the height of his son, so long as it's not offending anyone. The band will be getting back together. Before that reunion, like Japanese act One Ok Rock, let's rock out until it reaches you. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Running Wild', 'I'll Be There', 'Heart On The Window (Feat. 웬디)'.

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