Taeyang and Jimin Bring Stellar Vibes in New Collaboration
Taeyang of BIGBANG is back and better than ever with a brand new song featuring Jimin of BTS. It’s a major milestone for both artists, as “VIBE” marks Taeyang’s first solo project since the release of WHITE NIGHT in 2017 and Jimin’s first official solo venture since the announcement of BTS’s enlistment period. The teaser came amid rumors that Taeyang would be dropping a new album in 2023. Jimin has also been seen working with producers and songwriters for his own highly anticipated debut album. While there’s no confirmation on release dates yet, fans of both artists can happily stream “VIBE” in the meantime. The track was released on January 13 alongside a choreography-focused music video.
The track’s music video keeps it simple, focusing on each artist’s skilled dance moves and performance techniques in front of an array of colorful backdrops. The set changes from a stage with strobe lights, to hanging cityscapes, and a sea of stars. What remains constant is Taeyang and Jimin’s raw talent and stunning visuals. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Taeyang shared, “I thought choreography was really important for this song. We didn’t choreograph it ourselves, and instead looked through ideas we received from a variety of talented dancers. From all of them, we selected choreography from Bailey Sok, a dancer in America. She’s very young… She made it so well. It was really hard to learn it.” Their hard work certainly paid off and is sure to be the focus of many TikTok dance challenges in the coming weeks.
The track itself is a beautiful blend of R&B and pop. It feels like a natural collaboration, combining what each singer does best and giving listeners an upbeat track that’s easy to vibe to. The lyrics describe a connection that’s difficult to explain with words. This feeling where two people fit together like puzzle pieces is boiled down to the simple and catchy phrase: “It’s a vibe.” Taeyang and Jimin go on to make romantic comparisons throughout each verse of things that just go hand in hand. Some of my favorites include, “You’re the city, I’m the skyline,” and, “You’re the Han River, I’m the Nam San,” which shout out to popular Seoul sceneries. Meanwhile, “I’m the music, you’re my topline,” and, “I’m the stage, you’re the spotlight,” give a clever nod to what these performers do best. Their effortless vocals and perfectly timed ad-libs are the icing on top of the cake. It’s everything you’d expect from these two powerhouses: fresh, seductive, and dance-worthy.
“VIBE” by Taeyang featuring Jimin is available now on all streaming platforms. You can look forward to more music and unmatched vibes from these talented artists in the future!
Edited by Vivian N.