NCT’s Valentine Boy, JAEHYUN, has finally made his solo debut! With much anticipation after the success of “Forever Only” and “Horizon,” JAEHYUN’s true colors can shine with ‘J.’ With eight tracks, including the English version of the title track “Smoke,” now fans can see multiple sides to JAEHYUN’s music. There is a JAEHYUN-style R&B and Soul song for anyone’s tastes, so let’s get right into the new album!
“Smoke”
Fall into JAEHYUN’s irresistible charms with “Smoke!” Combining jazzy instruments with catchy 808 bass, this title track pulls listeners in and sets the mood. Matched with a classy, noir music video with black and white muted colors and warm yellows, the atmosphere feels like a vintage film. With a slick and smooth groove to glide on, the track has as much soul as it is catchy. The song talks about someone so hot and attractive that there’s smoke in both the Korean and English versions. The imagery in the music video is wild, where he stares at himself in a mirror and water reflections. It appears that JAEHYUN is falling for someone as much as he is in love with himself.
“Roses”
Feeling stuck in the past because of a love that is long over? “Roses” knows the feeling too well. As he sings to the night, the atmospheric synths and slower R&B beat accompany JAEHYUN’s desperate and longing voice. “Roses” feels like the exact song for heartbroken people lamenting over the past at unholy hours. This is precisely what JAEHYUN does as he painfully recounts his memories with his ex-lover. He is profoundly hurting, and this song shows his jealousy because someone else is giving their loved one roses. JAEHYUN’s voice here is more powerful, showing the depth of his despair and envy. Overall, the song conveys themes of regret, overthinking, and also the denial of a love that grew cold. His rose-colored glasses and views of this past relationship keep him in this cycle of pain, refusing to move on.
“Flamin’ Hot Lemon”
Are you going crazy from crushing on someone? “Flamin’ Hot Lemon” expresses this in a fun and witty way. With the track’s catchy, percussive beats and easy-listening melody, “Flamin’ Hot Lemon” is a certified earworm. The subject of JAEHYUN’s affection is the girl of his dreams; she has him in her hand. He tries to play it cool, but his loved one enamors him. He describes her with multiple witty lines and metaphors apart from calling her a “Flamin’ Hot Lemon.” Others also related to food and drink, such as “She’s sweet like watermelon” and “Attitude spicy while holding an iced tea.” To add to the song’s fun, there is a push-and-pull dynamic between JAEHYUN and the girl. He doesn’t know whether she likes him, but he will take the gamble.
“Dandelion”
Like the bright yellow of the sun and dandelions, this track is a warm and upbeat pick-me-up song! Like his previous release, “Horizon,” this song has an easy-listening vibe and a mid-tempo R&B groove. JAEHYUN’s smooth vocals match this sunny track, and the jazz style and classic melodies add to the song’s overall cheerfulness. His lyrics express happy moments and memories revolving around dandelions and sunny days. Dandelions are often used to make wishes, and he wanted to use this nostalgia to add to the track’s charms. Similarly, he also compares his loved one to a dandelion that he found blooming along the street. And when he’s with their loved one, it feels like he’s floating like the petals of a dandelion. Listening to this song feels like pure bliss and joy, basking in the sunshine and flowers.
“Completely”
Fall deeper in love with JAEHYUN as he serenades listeners with “Completely.” This sweet ballad with a romantic piano melody and heart-warming lyrics is enough to melt anyone’s heart. Throughout the song, he sings about wanting to know everything about their loved one. So that he can love them while learning more about their loved ones every day. “Completely” reads like a love letter with lyrics like “Tell me your favorite love song, I wanna sing it with you.” In its entirety, this track is a beautiful confession of love, one that is everlasting. In lyrics like “Show me a map of your soul…I’m gonna love you completely,” he shows his devotion to his loved one. While loving them through their pain and wanting to lighten the burden, JAEHYUN truly expresses his unconditional love.
“Easy”
Are you tired of playing games in a relationship? JAEHYUN feels the same way in “Easy.” Despite the upbeat R&B melody of this track, the lyrics express the frustration of being in an uncertain relationship. In this song, the complexities of a relationship are revealed where everything feels inconsistent. JAEHYUN goes through a lot of exhaustion in this relationship, trapped in a cycle of being treated lovingly and coldly. Whether he’s treated kindly or like nothing, his partner treats him however she likes. Despite the days they have an electric connection, there is a lack of commitment and mutual understanding. Instead of feeling stuck, he finds the courage to escape this tiring relationship through this song.
“Can’t Get You”
Like the easy-going vibes of a relaxing drive on sunny days, “Can’t Get You” is the perfect song. With its percussive beats and calming synths, this track is great to listen to while unwinding and vibing. In this song, JAEHYUN is wholly intoxicated and in love with someone who occupies his thoughts daily. To him, this person is their dream come true and someone they keep seeing in their sweet dreams at night. His loved one is someone he can’t get out of his system, as they’re embedded into his heart and soul. Like the perfect song playing in a cafe, its jazzy and R&B rhythms complement JAEHYUN’s honey-like voice. Like an earworm that you can’t get out of your head, “Can’t Get You” is a beautiful song to wrap up JAEHYUN’s first album.
What’s your favorite song on JAEHYUN’s debut album? Let us know on Instagram and Twitter!
FOLLOW JAEHYUN ON HIS SOCIALS
INSTAGRAM • TWITTER/X • YOUTUBE • TIKTOK
Featured Image Credit: SM Entertainment
