'TAP' into the Neo world of Taeyong with his 2nd mini album • POP TOKKI

Let’s tap back into the Neo world of Taeyong! On February 26, Taeyong came back strong with the release of his 2nd album ‘TAP.’ Met with tremendous praise and excitement from fans, Taeyong boldly expresses his “Neo” style once again in his music. The album proudly serves as a follow-up to Taeyong’s debut album ‘SHALALA,’ which garnered huge success.

Before this long-awaited release, Taeyong just wrapped up his first-ever two-day solo concert TY TRACK February 24 and 25. Taeyong’s exclusive Seoul concerts featured a 23-song setlist filled with beloved past releases, unreleased songs, and tracks from the ‘TAP.’ Lucky fans were able to witness Taeyong’s fun and beautiful performances and the tracks on ‘TAP’ ahead of the album’s release. Now that Taeyong’s latest album is out for the world to tune in, let’s get right into his latest work of art!

TAP

Similar to its fun and funky predecessor “SHALALA,” “TAP” is a cute and bouncy title track with an addictive beat! To match the fun song, the music video shows an entertaining story of Taeyong’s adventure on his dango errand. Throughout the music video, Taeyong amusingly goes to a cafe, arcade and bathhouse while trying to find his precious dango. Filled with cute Japanese aesthetics and bright colors, the music video is a visual treat for the eyes.

As for the song itself, “TAP” is full of witty and adorable lyrics that shows Taeyong’s unique style. In one of the verses, he says “Check my new world, don’t need manuals, follow what you wanna do.” From Taeyong’s perspective, he says we shouldn’t be confined to the world’s rules and live in our own unique way. Similarly, he also boldly expresses that he’ll keep going without stopping, and there’s still so much for him to try. Paired with a catchy chorus, this song surely has listeners tapping along to the beat!

Moon Tour

Taeyong takes listeners to outer space with his beautiful voice in “Moon Tour!” In this otherworldly R&B/Soul track, Taeyong brings his fans on a breathtaking tour to the moon. With a space-like atmosphere throughout the track, Taeyong’s vocals are out of this world as he serenades fans. With heartwarming lyrics like “I’ll still love you to the moon and back…” Taeyong assures that his love is like eternal starlight. Especially when he repeats “You got solar power, we shower in starlight, it’s my golden hour.” in the uplifting chorus. He surely has a romantic way with words that matches the atmospheric vibe of this track. Like a love letter to those he holds dear, Taeyong shows that his affections won’t disappear despite the distance.

Run Away

Delving once again into the rock genre, Taeyong shows that he can truly embody the nostalgic vibe of rock. Similar to western boy group pop rock songs, this headbanging track could fit perfectly into a coming of age film. Paired with an immersive melody of guitar and synths, Taeyong’s vocals make him a great fit as a lead singer in a rock band. Despite the upbeat atmosphere of the song, the lyrics tell a story about running from someone who caused him pain.

Taeyong sings about never wanting to meet an ex-loved one again, because they left him hurt and all alone. From the lyrics, it’s implied that Taeyong is getting back at their ex-loved since they ran away from him too. At its core, “Run Away” is an escapist track about wanting to be free from a hurtful person and painful memories. However as the song continues on, Taeyong seems to be falling in love with the same person again, or someone completely new. Further continuing the cycle that Taeyong is in, falling for someone at the risk of regretting it all over again.

APE

Go bananas over Taeyong’s renowned rapping skills in hip-hop track “APE!” Further showing Taeyong’s brimming confidence, this track is a great head-bopping track to groove along to. With a heavy and rough textured bass beat to match, his cool rapping goes hard as he spits out witty lines. He is unafraid of being himself, saying that he’ll do things his way unlike the pretentious people he disses.

In the chorus, his confidence shines since the world is his, saying “I don’t follow the paper, chasing dreams all night.” Showing that Taeyong doesn’t give up even if the going gets tough. However, even with his confidence, at the same time he sincerely expresses his worries and realizations. Further shown in lines like “I’m insecure, amazing, ten years changed me so much.” Towards the end, the rough bass beat becomes a gentler piano melody as Taeyong ponders more on his growth.

Ups & Downs

Feeling blue and remembering a painful past? That’s what “Ups & Downs is all about. This somber R&B track reflects Taeyong’s bitter feelings as he looks back at this painful part of his life. Paired with a slow guitar and piano melody that grows to a steady percussive beat, Taeyong pours out his sorrows. In the chorus, he sings “Through the ups and downs, meaningless,” repeating it as he’s used to the empty feeling. Though he regrets this past love similar to “Run Away,” the tone of this song is more melancholy. There is a certain jadedness to the song, and the lovelorn emotions that Taeyong channels into his beautiful vocals.

Being haunted by the past, he painfully asks himself “Why me? Why us?…Why does it keep holding me back?” He falls into despair further as he looks back “Trust issues, loving you was dumb…I call my blue again.” Which calls back to his previous song “Blue” released on his Soundcloud with a similar vibe to this song. Overall, this vulnerable track is a resentful letter to someone who has long left him behind, leaving him to mull over the past alone.

404 Loading

See the light of hope that can overcome despair with “404 Loading!” Serving as a follow-up to “404 File Not Found” from the ‘SHALALA’ album, “404 Loading” is the uplifting next chapter. In this dreamy R&B/Soul song, it bears similarity to “Moon Tour” where both songs have an otherworldly atmosphere. The slow guitar and synths pair well with Taeyong’s flawless raps and vocals, adding to the sweet emotions of the song. Taeyong sings about basking in euphoric moments with the person he loves, and it appears he has finally found peace. Unlike the anxious emotions in “404 File Not Found,” Taeyong overcomes these emotions and finds new hope in this track.

The meaning of 404 could be a meeting place with a lover, or a safe space. Further shown in how Taeyong sings “Meet me in a 404,” a place specially made for Taeyong and his loved one. Here, Taeyong overcomes his loneliness and expresses wanting to live in this dream-like place with his love forever. With this song shining with glimmering hope, “404 Loading” is a perfect ending to this album.