The Boyz’s JACOB Kickstarts Solo Career with Digital Album j.

Photo: HIGHBREED ENTERTAINMENT

After nearly a decade since his debut in The Boyz, JACOB became the first member of the group to launch his solo career. His digital album j., released on Wednesday, gives an official look into JACOB’s indie sound and the emotional messages he wants to deliver. With writing and composition credits on all seven tracks, JACOB adds his own personal touch to an album all about love. 

TRACKLIST: 

  1. “Off the Record”

  2. “Back & Forth” 

  3. “Slow Dancing” 

  4. “Promise” 

  5. “Misunderstood” 

  6. “Young & Confused” 

  7. “Stars in the Sky” 

Solo Tracks Prior to j. 

JACOB debuted as part of The Boyz on December 6, 2017. Within the group, he has become known for his soft-spoken demeanor and gentle voice. More parts about JACOB as an individual artist, however, started coming to light in 2021 through his songs uploaded on SoundCloud. Self-written and composed by JACOB, this lineup of tracks provides a closer understanding of his musical identity. His first song, “I BELONG,” is a comforting and relatable ballad about trying to find one’s place in the world. 

On May 30, 2021, JACOB released his first SoundCloud mixtape EP, KINDLE. KINDLE tackles all sorts of challenges that people face, including coming to terms with inner happiness and bearing the weight of adulthood without losing the joys of youth. What his personal tracks achieve seem exemplified by the single “Safe Place,” released in 2023. JACOB’s SoundCloud songs provide a calm environment to help process often complex emotions. Interested listeners should consider experiencing  them all to get a sense of what to expect from his official solo debut. 

j. 

 j. continues the reflective nature of JACOB’s music. This time, the album achieves this through the lens of romance. Its narrative follows a new relationship, where the dynamics feel simultaneously unfamiliar and exciting, that transforms into a trusting, comfortable relationship where each person becomes the other’s rock— their sanctuary that makes them feel at peace. Simply put, this is an album for the yearners. It even starts with a confession in the R&B song “Off the Record.”

The title track, “Slow Dancing,” comes nested in the middle of the album. This light pop song depicts getting to know a partner bit by bit. JACOB likens this evolving familiarity like a couple learning to dance together. His voice works very well with the type of serenade in “Slow Dancing.” British-Burmese influencer and model Tay Thar portrays JACOB’s love interest in the music video, which unravels as a sweet story about infatuation. 

According to a press release by HIGHBREED ENTERTAINMENT, JACOB calls the album “a guiding step to show everyone what [his] color truly is,” and he brought some friends with him on this endeavor. The Boyz’s main rapper Sunwoo features on “Back & Forth,” which also uses a dancing allegory to showcase a couple’s deepening relationship. JACOB also collaborates with Thai artist Wonderframe for “Promise,” a song about lovers yearning to reunite during a long-distance relationship. The indie-pop vibes on this album are immaculate with the warm tones. 

Even the songs that cover the more turbulent aspects of relationships still sound mellow and level-headed. “Misunderstood,” which addresses the difficulties of opening up and properly communicating with a partner, and “Young & Confused,” which longs for the affirmation that the relationship will survive mistakes, all keep a similar sonical cohesion. The album winds down with “Stars in the Sky,” a song that begs for a way for partners to find each other after splitting apart. 

It leaves j. on a cliffhanger: do they find each other again? Are they destined to be together? Regardless of the true ending, j. is for those who want an easy-listening experience and those who love, well, love. j. may begin with messages that are “off the record,” but on the record, j. sets up a hopeful  solo career.

DebutsJacob Aron LeungJACOB, The BoyzComment