When he’s not cramming his schedule with variety show appearances, filming alongside A-list superstars like Tom Cruise for his self-produced show Run Seokjin, or preparing for his world tour this June, BTS’s Kim Seokjin has found room to record and release his second solo album, Echo. His debut solo album, Happy, invited listeners to explore and centred on joy and gave that level of exploration on what makes us happy. On Echo, he aims to dig a little deeper by playing on themes such as “you and me” and “us”. Jin establishes a connection with listeners, leaving a lasting impression – just like an echo.
It sees a new direction, offering a jukebox of genres for listeners to pick and choose to their heart's content. Matters of the heart take centre stage, starting with the dreamy yet heart-breaking title track, Don't Say You Love Me. The lyrics tell the story of two lovers on the verge of a breakup yet are unable to walk away. That conflict and sadness are mirrored in the accompanying music video that reflects the emotional complexity of the track. Filmed in Singapore, it follows Jin and his love interest, South Korean actress Shin Se-kyung, as they cross paths after their breakup, mixed with flashbacks of their relationship.
Lyrics like “Faking a smile while we’re breaking apart” capture that raw emotion; while the chorus gives room for Jin to flourish, his voice tenderly narrates the pain. The upbeat arrangement feels like a slow dance of both conflict and beauty. There’s a unique quality to it; it’s hauntingly sad yet at the same time oddly uplifting, perhaps thanks to the simplicity that allows Jin to truly shine. He’s charming, sure, but it’s his relaxed manner in which he sings about heartbreak that is truly admirable.
He takes that signature charm and turns it into magic on Nothing Without Your Love that can only be described as a bundle of euphoria wrapped up in a grand orchestral arrangement. Drawing inspiration from Brit rock, it echoes the beauty of Coldplay's 2008 Viva La Vida – a perfect comparison given their close friendship and past collaborations with the group. Yet, at the core of the track lies something simple yet powerful. It’s Jin’s voice. While many artists can sing; that much is given, Jin does more than that – he soars. His vocals rise with such a command and pace you don't know what note he is going to hit you with next; it leaves you breathless.
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| Photo Courtesy of BIGHIT MUSIC |
Jin participated in the writing for the majority of the track list and aimed to create an album centred around sounds he loves, especially band-driven music. These were hinted at by the styling in his concept photos showing him coming into his rockstar era. The standout example comes from the edgier track Loser, featuring South Korean rockstar YENA. Perfect for anyone heading for a breakup or constantly bickering; then this is the song for you. No doubt it’ll have those feeling as if it was written specifically for them. With lyrics like “It's all stupid, love. It's such a waste to miss me, like a loser (loser), loser (loser). If you miss me in the end, you'll regret it. Oh, baby, that's stupid love by your standards. That stupid love like a loser.” We’ve all been there, right? Backed by gritty guitar riffs, vocally they go back and forth, agreeing with whatever opinion you have on said loser lover. Riding the sounds of intensity before pulling the plug, abruptly ending and saying goodbye to love. Placing Loser after the two gorgeous ballads adds another layer to love and instead captures the confusing and messy emotions that come with it.
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| Photo Courtesy of BIGHIT MUSIC |
As mentioned earlier, if you’re here for the pop ballads, you’ve got them, but if you’re ready for a country detour, then saddle up, because Jin is about to take you on a surprising country ride with Rope It. Having released a song about fishing for tuna on 2021’s Super Tuna, it’s not completely unexpected to have a genre so left field. But that’s the joy of Jin – known for his playful spirit and willingness to have fun, although these tracks aren’t to be sniffed at. Rope It transports you straight into the heart of Texas with its upbeat energy. It's the kind of song that makes you want to grab a cowboy hat and go out line dancing – even if you’ve never done it before in your life. Is it a complete 180 from the previous ones? Yes. But that adds to the richness of Echo and makes for such a well-balanced listening experience. After all, isn’t that what life and love should be about? Varied and surprising?
The message throughout Echo is clear: find happiness in the now and adapt to the experiences that shape us. In songs like With The Clouds, it shines bright where his rock influences take stage. But it's on Background where those exact intricate moments come to life. Through the storytelling lyrics, Jin explores the ache of past love and what could have been, delivering lines such as “If I can turn it around, will I be by your side then? I'm waiting for you; I'll be here in the background.” Singing with such vigour and passion, it feels like a letter to the past that flows beautifully into the present day on the closing track, the dreamy To Me, Today.
It’s here that it sounds like a part two of the heartfelt letter to oneself, and it's a nice gentle acceptance and a push to become the best version of oneself. With the easy-breezy vibe, it plays like the closing scene of a film, where the main character finally finds clarity and has seen the gold at the end of the journey. Could it be a metaphor for being your own main character in your life story? Perhaps.
But it’s optimistic in every sense and carries a subtle 1960's Beatles-esque sound woven between the beats. The lyrics are particularly poetic on the pre-chorus “All right, let's get rid of our worries, Live now” and “Today is one and only, to me” and ending with “Now I fly to where my heart beats” and “Let me fly away with nobody else” are both vulnerable and empowering. What you are left with is nothing but goosebumps, the kind that come from feeling inspired and feeling like you can take on anything. It’s as if Jin’s superpower lies in being able to be at peace and completely in the present and choosing to see the good in situations. And it is this message that serves as a positive and poignant closing track.
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What makes Echo work is Jin sets out to show his perspective on universal experiences, capturing everyday emotions with warmth and wit. He not only nails that, but he could have easily stuck to the dreamy K-drama-style ballads filled with longing and wispy tones. But instead he’s choosing to have fun and just trying out sounds he enjoys listening to…. Because honestly? Why not? From taking us on wild rides at the rodeo, swooning from afar, singing about loser lovers and ultimately being our own best friend and the love of our life. It’s more than an album; it's a sound book to help guide you on those beautifully messy, complex, and confusing moments that we all embark on day to day.
Echo is now available on all streaming platforms worldwide. Following his album release, Jin will be appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon for his TV premiere performance of Don’t Say You Love Me.
What's your favourite from ECHO? Let us know in the comments!