V's 'Layover' may not be for everyone, but its themes define the BTS singer perfectly
Why this album is more about setting a 'vibe' than producing bangers
When V released his debut solo album Layover earlier this month, I have never seen so much division over a project released by a BTS singer.
Unlike the heavy pop bangers and hip hop tracks his bandmates have released, many were disappointed to hear that V’s Layover did not follow the same path.
“I listened to this [album] and it’s not really my tea lol,” a friend messaged me.
Another BTS fan in my group chats described it as “pretty meh”. Someone else told me they were “bored.”
Not everyone will jive with a project, and that’s what I love about music and art. It’s also refreshing to see this kind of discourse on something released by a BTS member. I’ve often found that reviews by fans are overly positive with very little pushback. RM even once said that he feels “frustrated” when “we’re only given positive feedback.”
As a fan, I truly believe that criticism can be a good thing if it’s constructive. After all, we can’t expect perfection from our faves each and every time. So while I am sure most ARMY will support V’s latest work, I’m actually glad to see it has garnered such mixed responses.
Personally, I really loved Layover.
What made me like the project so much was the fact that everything about it was so intentional from the sound, themes and visuals. It’s not for everyone. But it remains true to who V has always been.
He’s an old soul
Those who are a dedicated student of the School of Kim Taehyung will know that the BTS singer is all about setting a vibe. Layover is clearly made with that intent. It’s meant to be listened to after a long day of work, at dusk, or during a drive home. It hits particularly hard when you’re in the right mood.
Despite being famous for his growl (particularly heard in tracks like ‘Idol’, ‘We Are Bulletproof Pt. 2’ and ‘Baepsae’), V as always been a fan of quieter, more relaxed tunes. On livestreams and social media apps, he often shares clips of old school jazz musicians like Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr.. He often also plays bedroom pop and lo-fi tracks in the background of his Instagram stories.
The songs he’s also released as a solo artist prior to Layover follow a similar theme. From ‘Winter Bear’, ‘Sweet Night’ to ‘Christmas Tree’, V has always been known for being a bit of an old soul, singing atmospheric, comforting tunes that also showcase his softer, emotional and more romantic sides of himself.
‘Blue & Grey’, the track he co-wrote for BTS’s pandemic studio album BE, also reveals V’s love of slow, melancholic pop ballads. To me, it is one of the biggest highlights of BE. And having seen what he could do with that track, I couldn’t wait to see what V would do next as a soloist.
He leans into his love of old school jazz and romance
V is a singer who is notorious for posting unreleased music he’s been working on, then deleting his tracks. Whether it’s partly due to his confidence or waiting for the right time, Layover shows that the delay in releasing his first solo project has been worth it.
Lyrically, Layover’s themes mostly revolve around relationships that have gotten off track. Though ever the optimist, V sings of hope and longing that he and his lover can get back on the right path.
Leaning into vintage R&B and jazz, V also keeps things present utilizing sound effects like phone alerts, falling rain, lo-fi beats and pitched-up vocals. Plus, his baritone voice also adds particular emotional depth due to the slower nature of his songs.
‘Rainy Days’ is the type of track you’d play during a long night of work or studying. While tunes like ‘Slow Dancing’, is easy on the ears. It’s perfect for settings like the beach or a jazz club. In fact, you can totally see V’s vision come to light in his most recent NPR Tiny Desk performance, where he enlists back-up singers and a saxophonist to join his band. This whole performance just feels like a jazz bar coming alive!
Meanwhile, the most interesting song on his six-track album is undoubtedly 'For Us’, in which he features pitched-up vocals and gorgeous harmonies to complement his soulful baritone voice. Something about the way he performs the track brings up feelings of longing and nostalgia of the past. It’s also the most sonically diverse track on the album.
Layover is just part of the journey
A fan of aesthetics (as seen in his love of photography), V’s Layover is also largely a visual project, with music videos accompanying the tracks on his album. He plays with retro karaoke effects, glittery outfits and black and white film. V also enlisted the help of ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin (renown for her work with NewJeans) to help execute his vision. You can clearly see her creative touches all over the album.
I am aware that V’s Layover may be too slow and meandering for some listeners — especially those who are used to BTS’s heavier pop bangers.
However, it’s commendable to see him make more artistic choices here rather than commercial ones. And as a member of the world’s most popular boy band, he can more than afford to take that risk.
Chapter 2 of BTS is one of discovering new sides and sounds of the group as solo artists. Layover is exactly what V has always shown to the world. It’s contemplative, laidback, chill and moody.
Fans will know he also has a silly, fun and goofy side. But like the title, Layover is just part of the journey of his life as an artist. I’m sure we’ll see other parts of V in future projects.
Related reading:
V Shares The Journey That Led to Layover – And How His BTS Members Helped Get Him There (Rolling Stone)
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