JBJ95 Chases “JASMIN” in Their New Mini-Album
It’s been almost a full year since we’ve heard from the duo of JBJ95, but finally they are back with new mini-album JASMIN. Before this comeback, the duo previously released digital single “ONLY ONE” in December of 2019, with the last album being released in August 2019. The latest title track “JASMIN” shows a new musical side to the boys.
The Title: “JASMIN”
From the get-go, “JASMIN” kicks off with a groovy rhythm guitar melody that has strong retro vibes, soon joined by a steady beat and rapper Sanggyun kicking the song off with a vocal verse. The retro beat ramps up as Kenta takes the reigns, flowing steadily into the chorus and remaining the main focus throughout the song. There are some great bass lines sprinkled within the melody, giving the song an all-around ‘60s R&B retro vibe. It’s a new flavor for the duo, who often focus on the more traditional pop and EDM influences, though their B-Sides have often taken this route and have always been a strong sound for them. It’s nice to see that featured in a title and the switch-up is a refreshing release. Even if you’re not a big fan of them, this song is super catchy and there’s no question they pull it off well.
The concept in the music video is an interesting mix of retro and Wild West vibes, with Kenta sporting a signature cowboy hat, which is also seen in a number of the dance scenes on the backup dancers. The video opens in a jazz bar, with Kenta playing the piano and Sanggyun taking center stage as the singer, setting up the retro vibes perfectly. The duo don suits that definitely have a retro feel and are contrasted by scenes of the boys in more modern clothing. There is one particular verse where each member has a solo dance with a female backup dancer, which is flashy in all the right ways and definitely something new for the boys. It helps to set the tone for the song, as it feels that she is the referred “JASMIN.” The outlaw vibes become prominent towards the end of the video, where we see the duo sporting handguns and firing in the classic pose. There’s an interesting contrast in hair colors as well, with Sanggyun sporting a deep red and Kenta a deep blue, almost as a means to contrast the two while making them both appear as the main character.
The Album
JASMIN features five tracks, including the title and the previously released single “ONLY ONE.” The album kicks off with “SHADUBIDU,” an upbeat track that fits the musical motif of the title almost to a tee, featuring heavy rhythm guitar and retro vibes along with some additional modern electronic influences, and molds effortlessly into the next track, title “JASMIN.” “대답해 (TELL ME)” shifts the feeling a bit to a fast-paced modern track that Kenta dominates from the start, his vocals really shining brightly through the first verse. The tempo is certainly rapid and elicits a feeling of frantic energy, which is complemented by the vocal lines. It feels more like a popular ‘90s pop track and adds a bit more depth to the album. “SEOULITE” is the final new track, relaxing the atmosphere a bit with a mid-tempo melody and piano accompaniment along with an ‘80s synth melody. It definitely feels retro, but not in the same way as “JASMIN.” The melody also complements Kenta’s vocals rather noticeably. It’s a bright and feel-good track with a different flair.
All in all, JASMIN is a very solid album from the group and does a good job of showcasing different decades of retro flair into modern music. It’s nice to see the boys finally have a retro R&B title track after so many modern EDM melodic formulas used, and it’s safe to say they absolutely nailed it both in the song and in the performance. JBJ95 really deserves more attention than they currently get, and hopefully this comeback is the start of a bit more spotlight.