Of all of the BTS solo efforts, Jungkook’s music has linked most with me. Each Seven and 3D (minus Jack Harlow’s terrible verse) have had surprising endurance and I recognize how they put on their influences on their sleeve. Each these songs hearkened again to early-2000’s sounds, however title monitor Standing Subsequent To You mines earlier touchstones to even larger impact.

Somewhat than breezy and funky, Standing Subsequent To You harnesses the show-stopping energy that nice Okay-pop (or within the case, pop) can and will attempt for. There’s a complete lot of Michael Jackson inspiration right here, although the tune itself doesn’t all the time sound prefer it.

We open with a flourish of brass and guitar, setting the stage for a theatrical push and pull between restrained cool and bombastic centerpieces. The verses are dominated by falsetto, and that’s the place the MJ affect is most notable. Jungkook sounds incredible right here, displaying a confidence that reaches by the audio system. I really like how the iciness of the “standing subsequent to you” chorus punctuates the funk spine with a little bit of ambiance. And given right this moment’s musical tendencies, it’s refreshing to listen to sparse verses give solution to a a extra explosive refrain. This phase could possibly be hookier, however the stabbing brass and dynamic drum fills are delivered with such aplomb. It’s arduous to not get caught up within the drama of all of it.

Like Seven, Standing Subsequent To You is a co-write with Canadian producer Cirkut (of Ava Max fame, amongst many others). This collaboration could show to be extra essential than any of the big-name rappers on Jungkook’s different singles. Standing Subsequent To You is giving correct “occasion single” power, and that’s a really nice shock given the breezy materials that preceded it. The truth is, this entire venture has been shocking in one of the best ways.

Grade: A-