BTS wunderkind Jung Kook looks to shine beyond K-Pop with his debut GOLDEN

Of course, he’s no stranger to individual hits with songs like “Euphoria,” “Begin,” and “My Time” already high bars on his personal CV, but with GOLDEN he concentrates on finessing those credentials as well as his obvious reverence for pop, aided by a host of producers and collaborators. Jung Kook is an artist with an unquestionable work ethic keen on pushing himself, so having enlisted an impressive selection of current hitmakers expectations are unusually high. Still, it’d be fair to say that the results are uneven.

Opening track “3D” takes prime-era Justin Timberlake as inspiration, and Jung Kook hits all the right notes and harmonies accompanying a sparse set of slick beats. The track also features US rapper Jack Harlow’s explicitly inflected bars that set out to show the grown-up tone of the album, but Harlow’s sleazy, course additions jar massively with Jung Kook’s honey-sweet vocals in the final mix. Seemingly enjoying the freedom from K-Pop’s more tightly maintained musical control, the US chart-topping “Seven” also continues the adult content, with a sultry and sexy feature by Latto, casually dropping f-bombs as it resurrects UK Garage and references Craig David’s hit “Seven Days” in the process.

“Standing Next To You” is an absolute banger with deep bass synths and sparkly keys broken up with brassy accents worthy of Michael Jackson’s early solo career where disco and pop battle it out with the outcome bringing the best of both genres. But then in contrast, where you'd think Ed Sheeran’s writing and guitar contribution on “Yes or No” would be similar, and while it's somewhat catchy, it serves little else.

Having started strongly enough, and the rather apathetic-sounding Major Lazer feature on “Closer To You” aside, the album’s energy flags midway with a series of ballads and gentler songs. “Please Don’t Change,” the Shawn Mendes-penned “Hate You,” and Bieber sound-a-like “Too Sad To Dance” all draw from the pop canvas of yesteryear and allow Jung Kook’s voice space to drop from his typical falsetto, adding a breathier and more melancholy character.

GOLDEN comes out guns blazing, full of personality, and as a result feels very front-loaded. Jung Kook’s desire to do his best work is obvious, but a little bit of pacing of the tracklist wouldn't have gone amiss, as energy levels (and featured artists) peter out all too quickly.