Jaehyun – ‘J’ overview: a tantalisingly candy tease

Not everybody may reside as much as being born on Valentine’s Day, however Ok-pop star Jaehyun makes it very clear that he’s certainly a person who understands love and all its complexities. On his debut album, ‘J’, the NCT singer spends most of its size submerged in impassioned R&B, revelling in his multifaceted voice, by no means shying away from falsettos or weaving his decrease registers into layered harmonies, whereas navigating via the ups and downs of romance.

As somebody who’s been part of a boyband for the higher a part of the final decade, Jaehyun hasn’t had many alternatives to showcase who he’s as a person – the handful of SM Station and NCT Lab tracks however. So, it’s unsurprising that the Ok-pop star’s fingerprints are throughout this file, together with writing credit on a majority of the tracks and a few manufacturing assists, as he takes a step into the highlight solo.

The darkish, moody ‘Roses’ is a standout showcase of the singer’s artistry and sonic id. Affecting and efficient, the freefall of a misplaced love is relayed via Jaehyun’s mournful verses. When the refrain arrives, he’s overwrought in immensity, enhanced by an echoing choral backing, and discordantly overwhelmed by wailing synths repeating the titular phrase as if breaking apart and tearing aside ‘Roses’ could make all the pieces higher.

Album opener and lead single ‘Smoke’, in the meantime, is a sensual ode to a lingering romance, slinking via a easy, aura soundscape. Jaehyun’s wealthy vocals are on full show right here as he weaves in-and-out of harmonises, then sing-songs his approach within the refrain, drawing us in over snapping beats, daring bass and groovy, fingerpicked strings.

‘J’ actually begins to shine, although, when it opens as much as a lighter, extra earnest, at instances even cheeky, view of affection. The honey-tinged ‘Flamin’ Sizzling Lemon’ is attractive and playful, interlacing humour with honey-tinged romantic overtures because the Valentine Boy declares how he “loves the way in which you style”. Jaehyun continues to experience this vibrant and bouncy vibe on ‘Dandelion’ and ‘Straightforward’, that are as charming as they’re simple on the ears.

Nearer ‘Can’t Get You’ – notably co-written by legendary songwriter and producer Babyface – is refined, with every second introducing a brand new, jazzy musical component to bolster the complexity of being overwhelmed by the article of affection. Because the tune builds in depth, it turns from a easy jazzy sluggish jam right into a full orchestral association, with hypnotising synths and dramatic backing vocals bolstering Jaehyun’s career of affection.

As a proper introduction to who Jaehyun actually is as a singer, ‘J’ makes fairly a stylistic declaration, dedicating itself to sluggish jams and sensual love songs – and it really works, even when piano ballad ‘Fully’ breaks the stream of the file. The issue with it, like so many albums these days, is the size. For a launch that’s billed as a full-length, ‘J’ is absurdly brief, clocking in at underneath 25 minutes (even much less so with out the English model of ‘Smoke’).

By the point ‘J’ begins getting warmed up, the journey is over. The file nearly appears like being ghosted half-way via a relationship that had appeared to be going so nicely – although, in its personal approach, that’s fairly apt for an album that explores the numerous aspects of romance. And now that it’s over, you look again on the tantalisingly candy moments with a wishful craving, pining for extra of what might need been.

Particulars

• File label: SM Leisure
• Launch date: August 26, 2024