BTS Singer V Wanted To Bring An Unexpected Genre To His Debut Solo Album

BTS singer V is currently in the midst of promoting his upcoming solo project, Layover. The EP will mark his first solo endeavor outside the band that catapulted him to stardom. As he prepares to unveil this effort to the world, the musician has revealed an intriguing artistic choice, one that might catch those who know him and his output many by surprise.

In an interview with W Korea (which was shared in part by NME), V candidly shared insights into the creation of Layover and his main sources of inspiration. He disclosed that he found himself drawn to the world of jazz as he embarked on crafting the EP. However, he also acknowledged the importance of maintaining balance and not diving too deeply into the genre.

“It would have been tricky to go right into standard jazz,” V explained to the outlet. He elaborated further, stating that he “worked very hard to bring out elements of the genre in a way that would appeal to the mainstream.”

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V’s choice to blend his personal artistic inclinations with the expectations of his fans and the wider global audience is both strategic and intuitive. Striking a balance between innovation and familiarity is crucial for any mainstream artist, especially one transitioning from a group dynamic to a solo career.

Creating a distinct identity while avoiding drastic sonic shifts that might alienate his dedicated followers is a fine line to tread. He also wants to make sure to avoid any comparisons to the music his BTS bandmates have been putting out, so a big swing seems like it was necessary.

In the interview, V also shared a unique listening context for Layover. He suggested that the music is “best listened to when the sun is setting, while you’re going on a drive or when you’re on the way home from work.” So it seems his fall release is perfectly timed for a more laidback project.

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So far, V has released two tracks from Layover, providing a glimpse into the forthcoming EP’s sonic direction. The lead single, “Love Me Again,” arrived over a week ago, followed just hours later by another single, “Rainy Days.” The former of the two debuted on the Hot 100 this week, doubling his count of solo chart appearances. While “Rainy Days” didn’t secure a spot on that ranking, it did open within the top 10 on the Digital Song Sales chart, positioned right behind “Love Me Again.”

Despite V’s initial descriptions of incorporating jazz elements into his solo project, the tracks he has introduced from Layover exhibit more of a chill R&B vibe. The project’s promotional announcement from his label omitted mention of jazz as well, suggesting that V might be emphasizing emotional undertones and nuanced influences rather than a straightforward adherence to the genre’s traditional sound.

Another song from Layover, titled “Slow Dancing,” is scheduled to be released as a single alongside the full EP in September.

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