Review: J-Hope - More

With BTS announcing a hiatus, member J-Hope has announced an upcoming LP, his second album so far. This is much needed, with the exception of Jungkook's Stay Alive and Suga and Psy's That That, 2022 has been an underwhelming year for BTS, with nearly all their songs getting worse over time.

J-Hope is usually associated as the brightest and most light-hearted of the BTS members, and his music usually reflects that. More is a major shift, with a grittier, and more worn-out palette, more reminiscent of member Suga's solo work. Even J-Hope's flow is Suga-Esque in execution.

More's lyrics seem simple, especially on paper. Another "I must keep moving, I will be successful and inspire others." However, between the claustrophobic MV and J-Hope's tired attitude throughout the song, there is an overwhelming feeling of "Been there, done that." The fandom seems to be sure that the lyrics are satirical, a more tired outlook on BTS' growth and styling up till now. Given that BTS seemed to tackle such themes quite a lot in their recent material, this is no surprise.

Musically, More is rough and messy, but in a sheened, polished sort of way. Controlled chaos can best describe the vibe the song gives. It fits the themes of the song, while also being quite fun. The verses have a '90s hip-hop beat, while the chorus has some grunge influences through it. This is quite some fun.

Unfortunately, More never finds a refrain that glues together the whole song. It is surprisingly catchy at points, but never finds a hook that succeeds in pushing the song into something incredible. Then again, More is clearly intended to be enjoyed within the constraints of J-Hope's album, potentially as the low point in its overarching thematic tale. Hopefully, it finds its best use there.

Rating: 7.75/10

Image Source: We Got This Covered