Music outlets heap praise on J-Hope's debut solo album 'Jack In The Box'

J-Hope [HYBE]

“Jack In The Box,” the first solo album from BTS’s J-Hope, is receiving praise from media outlets across the globe.

The complete tracklist of the album and the music video for “Arson,” one of the album’s two lead tracks, were released on July 15.

British Music magazine NME wrote that J-Hope “might have taken off his bright, optimistic mask on ‘Jack In The Box’ to show another dimension of his character, but that doesn’t mean those qualities have been excised for good. They still creep in here in places, pushing forward his empathetic, sincere messages with glimmers of positivity.”

NME rated “Arson” as the “most accomplished piece of work” in the album, describing the song as “a masterful, addictive end to the record that begs you to hit play over and over.”

American music magazine Rolling Stone had similar sentiments, saying there’s more to the lead dancer “than meets the eye.”

“With his new album, ‘Jack In The Box,’ J-Hope — born Jeong Hoseok — turns introspective, showing off a darker side to his persona, not to mention how multidimensional he is.”

TIME magazine wrote that J-Hope “returns to his roots as a serious rapper, and to BTS’s roots as an act focused on shedding light on the fears that drive us.

“In many ways, it echoes BTS’s previous — and more introspective — albums and lyrics. Self-development and understanding have always been at the core of what made the group different from many of their K-pop careers; clearly J-Hope has not lost that passion for personal growth and willingness to be his own critic.”

The magazine predicted that the album may be an indication of the next chapter for the group, which will be “one of creation liberation and maturity.”

Another American music media outlet Consequence of Sound reviewed, “much of the album is dominated by raw beats and production touches that feel pulled from the ‘90s, a decade with sounds and aesthetics j-hope tends to gravitate towards.”

It also praised “Arson” as “a true scorcher that lives up to its fame.”

“Here, J-Hope is brutally honest in a way that makes it impossible not to consider the feelings of being stuck and trapped discussed by the members in the video detailing their solo plans.”

Other outlets such as Billboard, British music magazine Clash and London daily newspaper the Evening Standard also heaped praise on J-Hope’s first solo album.

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]