Jung Kook has always had a vision for his solo project. \u201cThis is what I want<\/a>: Three main tracks all with their own music videos [and] each has its own choreography, but with different styles,\u201d he said in February 2021, an optimistic smile affirming his words at the time. While that seemed to be the desired plan for his then-upcoming mixtape<\/a>, that release never left the studio\u2019s grounds. Fortunately, this delay led to a larger moment for the singer: his debut album, Golden<\/em>.<\/p>\n True to his perfectionism<\/a>, Jung Kook kept his two-year promise. Months before Golden <\/em>released on Nov. 3, the singer set the bar high with two chart-topping singles: \u201cSeven\u201d featuring Latto (which recently became Spotify\u2019s fastest record to reach a billion streams) and the Jack Harlow-assisted \u201c3D.\u201d<\/a> Then, to top off Golden<\/em>\u2019s arrival, he shared the music video for its main track \u2014 and already, a hit that\u2019s guaranteed to appear in my Spotify Wrapped collection \u2014 \u201cStanding Next to You.\u201d <\/p>\n These tracks are more than just flirty appetizers, but a reminder that Jung Kook\u2019s idol status isn\u2019t limited to his presence in BTS<\/a>. He is the<\/em> golden maknae, after all. He unapologetically reclaims that nickname<\/a> (a nod to being the youngest, multi-talented member of the band) on the album, and it\u2019s clear he knows this is his main character moment. <\/p>\n Jung Kook\u2019s at his most unfiltered on Golden<\/em>, an aura that can turn the simplest of melodies into a big statement. He takes listeners on a nonstop ride of emotions, where one stop sees him serenading listeners over silky R&B while the other explores different hues of pop. Even during the album\u2019s dullest moments, he\u2019s still a student of his craft. Welcome to the solo pop star circle, Jung Kook.<\/p>\n In honor of Golden<\/em>\u2019s release, let\u2019s rank the album in its entirety,<\/p>\n 10<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cPlease Don\u2019t Change\u201d ft. DJ Snake<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Jung Kook\u2019s lane of pop is quite nostalgic. He either takes inspiration from the Y2K greats, or taps into the EDM wave that was inescapable in the mid-2010s. He chose the latter for \u201cPlease Don\u2019t Change\u201d<\/a> featuring DJ Snake, an uptempo plea for his partner to remain the same as their relationship grows. <\/p>\n If this track didn\u2019t debut on Golden<\/em>, it could\u2019ve easily been mistaken for a dance hit that released in 2015. Using that exact formula, bar-for-bar, makes the tune sound hollow at times, but it makes sense that he tipped his hat to such a memorable era of pop music. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n \u201cToo Sad To Dance\u201d<\/a> is another familiar throwback \u2014 specifically, it time travels back to Justin Bieber\u2019s reign in the mid-2010s. The track has an undeniable essence of Bieber\u2019s \u201cLove Yourself,\u201d starting from the opening electric guitar to Jung Kook\u2019s vocals, which stays in a low register until his pitchy whistles in the outro. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n 08<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cShot Glass of Tears\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Let\u2019s raise our glass to heartbreak. On the somber track<\/a>, Jung Kook dwells on situations that have left him emotionally scarred. He doesn\u2019t focus on one event, but rather expresses his sorrow in a way that\u2019ll feel universal to anyone. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n The pained sorrow continues. Jung Kook\u2019s a singer of big emotions, especially when he\u2019s cooing about losing love and finding it again beneath the strobe lights of the dance floor. Or in this case, a ghostly piano ballad.<\/p>\n On \u201cHate You,\u201d<\/a> which is co-penned by Shawn Mendes, the crooner comes to a rather heartbreaking realization: He\u2019s willing to harbor ill will for his ex-partner in order to heal from the failed relationship. It all sounds cataclysmic; however, he makes the decision sound like a spellbinding lullaby. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n It\u2019s time for another trip in the pop time machine. Instead of elongating his visit to EDM\u2019s once-prominent takeover, Jung Kook surprisingly flips the script. He veers left, digging into his Ed Sheeran and Jesse McCartney bag<\/a> with ease on \u201cYes or No.<\/a>\u201d The track, which has a guitar rhythm similar to McCartney\u2019s \u201cShe\u2019s No You,\u201d<\/a> sees the K-pop star longing for love, as he\u2019s willing to give his all if his potential partner is willing to accept it. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n It\u2019s the saucy track that had ARMYs clutching their proverbial pearls<\/a>. Before Golden<\/em>\u2019s release, it was unclear what sonic direction Jung Kook would take for his debut. However, what fans didn\u2019t expect was the singer going so explicit \u2014 but it\u2019s a welcome new direction, nonetheless. <\/p>\n Clad in U.K. garage synths, Jung Kook ravenously reminds his partner he wants her love \u201cseven days a week.\u201d<\/a> That promise only doubles over in that infamous, \u201cnight after night, I\u2019ll be f*cking you right,\u201d line, which might be the most iconic verse in his discography. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n 04<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cCloser To You\u201d ft. Major Lazer<\/p>\n<\/div>\n In the first half of Golden<\/em>, Jung Kook easily commands listeners\u2019 attention. There\u2019s no room for that gaze to be lost, as each beginning track throbs with an uptempo production enough to make an impact.<\/p>\n \u201cCloser To You\u201d<\/a> rides that hypnotic wave, thanks to Major Lazer\u2019s ear for a pop-reggaeton rhythm. Jung Kook makes his desires for physical contact known throughout this tune, so much so his voice creeps to an alluring whisper by the track\u2019s outro.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n Oh, \u201cSomebody,\u201d<\/a> the brewing star you are. This track is positioned in the second half of Golden<\/em>, which seems to linger in a haze that\u2019s both interesting yet slightly bland. However, this track missed that gray area and rose straight to legendary status. Jung Kook\u2019s vocal whirls, which complement his desire to find someone, had me hooked on the first listen. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n 02<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c3D\u201d ft. Jack Harlow<\/p>\n<\/div>\n There\u2019s something about Jung Kook\u2019s timbre on \u201c3D\u201d<\/a> that\u2019s undoubtedly impressive. His tone glides like warm honey over the track\u2019s funky baseline, which feels eerily reminiscent of Justin Timberlake\u2019s 2002 Justified<\/em> <\/em>gem, \u201cSe\u00f1orita.\u201d<\/a> The magnetism on this record can\u2019t be duplicated, and it makes for an ideal introduction to a debut album. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n 01<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cStanding Next to You\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n It\u2019s almost criminal that \u201cStanding Next to You\u201d<\/a> wasn\u2019t considered to be a lead single. Sure, \u201cSeven\u201d and \u201c3D\u201d excel in their own right, but this funk-soul track has a certain je ne sais quoi that deserves to be praised. It seems Jung Kook agrees, as he branded this stunner the album\u2019s only \u201cmain track<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n Between fluttery falsettos and soulful belts, the singer promises that his love isn\u2019t short-term. He implies that a romance with him can \u201cstand the test of time,\u201d and he\u2019s willing to fight through a hell-storm to prove it. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n![\"Jung](\"https:\/\/imgix.bustle.com\/uploads\/image\/2023\/11\/3\/f171a5c4-96ed-4789-86d9-3b1c6faa2fbd-screen-shot-2023-10-31-at-30112-pm.jpg?w=760&h=1015&fit=crop&crop=faces&auto=format%2Ccompress)
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