LISTEN: BTS' Jin pushes boundaries in his sophomore album 'Echo'
Just six months after the release of his debut album Happy, Jin of BTS is back with his sophomore album titled Echo.
His new release came as a pleasant surprise to ARMY and casual listeners alike because prior to his sudden announcement, he was promoting his quirky reality Netflix show Kian’s Bizarre B&B. He has also been dropping fresh content for his own variety show Run Jin every Tuesday night, traveling frequently for his endorsements, and appearing on variety shows like Handsome Guys and Screwballs.
In Echo, the K-pop idol pushes boundaries as he bravely explores different styles and subgenres of rock, showcasing his vocal prowess. Have a listen to his follow-up to Happy and see what makes it a standout album for yourself below.
Don't Say You Love Me
Don’t Say You Love Me is the title track and only English song in the album. One automatically recalls memories of painful love upon hearing the song and watching the music video. “You never meant to hurt me, but you’re making it hard / Don’t tell me that you’re gonna miss me / Just tell me that you want to kill me / You just gotta let me go. Let me go.” Familiar lines, right? Though the track is obviously about heartbreak, its melancholic vibe makes it a good road trip song, too. The music video, featuring Hallyu star Shin Sae Kyeong (Run On, Captivating the King) makes it look like a K-drama all throughout—we won’t be surprised if Jin receives more acting offers after this.
Nothing Without Your Love
According to Jin, Nothing Without Your Love is his personal favorite from the album. Just like in his previous solo tracks Moon, The Astronaut, and I’ll Be There, Jin expresses his love and appreciation to those who love him back—just like ARMY. With his vocals alone, you can feel his sincerity in expressing his true feelings and how thankful he is for the people he's surrounded with. It's a hopeful song that teaches you it's okay to express your love—whether that is for your family, supporters, or a special someone.
Loser (feat. YENA)
“You love me, you miss me / You tell me I'm beautiful / Baby, you need me / You don't wanna let me go.” Love can be a tiring cycle, but it can be hard to put a stop to it, right? Jin suddenly turns playful in Loser–a duet track with rising K-pop soloist YENA. This pop-punk song has a lively yet raw edge, with its lyrics reminding you of your high school love, ex, or even a present beau that you constantly bicker with. The catchy guitar riff contributes to the fun and energetic vocal showdown between Jin and YENA.
Rope It
For those who are looking for a rather fun song to sing and dance to, Rope It is for you! Who would’ve thought that when Jin mentioned a while back that he wanted to do country music, he’d actually do it? Rope It is fun but the lyrics are encouraging, reminding you that regrets won’t do you any good. Instead of worrying about what could go wrong, just "rope it" and go with the flow of life. (Fun fact: Jin is the one neighing at the start of the track.)
With the Clouds
Jin said he once watched an animated film where the character was up with the clouds and it reminded him of how he feels whenever he's on stage, performing for his fans. With the Clouds is a major surprise in the album because of a number of tempo switches, making it experimental yet interesting.
Background
One thing about Jin is he's able to express the lyrics and theme of his songs flawlessly. A perfect example is Background, where you can feel the heartfelt yearning and willingness to wait for someone upon your first play. The song could remind you of his previously released solo tracks Awake, Epiphany, Tonight, Abyss, and Falling as it's emotional but also makes you enjoy solitude. We can't wait to see him perform this song live.
To Me, Today
Serving as the perfect final track in his sophomore album, To Me, Today reassures you that it's okay not to be okay but also tells you that you have to make an effort to get back up again. It reminds you not to dwell on the past and instead focus on the present—to you, today—ending the entire release with a spark of hope.
Jin's first global concert tour—RunSeokjin Ep. Tour—will kick off in Goyang, South Korea this June and end in Amsterdam in August. It will feature songs from Happy and Echo.
