Ahead of an eventual BTS reunion once everyone has completed their military service, oldest member Jin is back with his second solo mini album. I recently enjoyed watching him as part of the cast of Netflix variety series Kian’s Bizarre B&B, where he came off very well and added a quirky sense of humor. That personality doesn’t always transfer to his solo music, even when its rock edge holds potential for artistic color.
New single Don’t Say You Love Me plays things extremely safe. That doesn’t automatically have to be a bad thing. After all, Jin has proven adept at delivering a pleasant radio sound. His voice brings character to even the most straightforward pop songs. However, there comes a time when you must lace a song like this with another layer to keep things fresh. Don’t Say You Love Me could be a solo track from literally any male artist ever. It’s almost genre-less in its soft appeal. I can’t imagine anyone hating this, but it’s also hard to see what would make a listener become dangerously obsessed with music so “nice.”
Don’t Say You Love Me‘s melodies are tried and true because we’ve heard them before. The chord progression is predictable in a comforting way and Jin’s light vocal slides effortlessly over the top. But like too much of his work, the song lacks any friction. The music is just there, playing in the background as we admire the pretty cinematography. I suppose there’s a time and a place for this kind of numbing agreeability, but I have to believe Jin is interested in more daring material. As a fan, I know I am.
Hooks
8
Production
7
Longevity
8
Bias
7
RATING
7.5