Rolling Stone ranks SUGA’s ‘D-DAY’ among the 100 best albums of 2023 (at number #69).
“D-DAY, the third release BTS’ Suga has put out as Agust D, is a tight 10-track collection that lyrically and musically probes the concept of freedom — what it means, whether it’s a blessing or a curse. Take the double-entendre title of the thundering “Haegeum,” which wraps around a drone from the two-stringed traditional Korean instrument of the same name. “Haegeum” also can be translated as “liberation,” and Agust D unpacks that idea in knotty, spat-out rhymes that take aim at conformity, the trappings of “success,” and information overload. Meanwhile, “Life Goes On” hints at a brighter future, or at least one where life’s big questions loom a little less ominously.”
Previously in 2022, Rolling Stone ranked J-hope’s Jack In The Box at #9.
Billboard lists V’s Layover at #2, and Agust D’s D-Day at #8, on its (25) Best K-pop Albums of 2023.
V, Layover
Incorporating V’s ingrained love of jazz music (he played saxophone in his childhood), Layover is a considerable departure from any BTS album, presenting the star in a realm all his own. An old soul, V’s first solo record unfolds as a lo-fi soul, jazz, and R&B journey where singles like “Love Me Again” and “Slow Dancing” bring a blend of romantic melancholy, with the commitment to V’s musical vision evident in decisions like an unconventional but lovely flute solo in the latter. At less than 20 minutes, Layover is a succinct, yet immersive, listening experience, becoming progressively smoother and sweeter throughout until it culminates in the falsetto-led finale “For Us” and a piano-based alternative version of “Slow Dancing.”
Teaming up with ADOR CEO and NewJeans’ mastermind Min Hee Jin, each track is complemented by its own music video to immerse fans in V’s world, with each visual awash in vintage filters to recall past decades. With a slew of live Tiny Desk Korea and band session performances that deepen the connection and help bring his vision to life, Layover lays the foundation for what promises to be a fascinating solo career for the BTS member.
Agust D, D-Day
Introduced by an eye-opening Disney+ documentary and brought to life through a world tour, D-Day emerged as a poignant, intimate glimpse into Suga’s captivating mind. In the third project under his Agust D moniker, Suga delves into his most personal reflections on record, exploring loneliness, freedom and letting go of the past. Beyond the lyricism revealing Suga’s innermost thoughts, the emotional weight of discussing his health and family in the standout track “Amygdala” are heightened by deft production decisions like Suga’s singing and use of Auto-Tune. D-Day also pays tribute to one of Suga’s personal musical heroes, as the gorgeous and haunting “Snooze” features legendary Japanese composer and producer Ryuichi Sakamoto, as well WOOSUNG of The Rose. Tragically, Sakamoto passed away less than a month before the album’s release, infusing D-Day with a sense of legacy and cross-generational continuity.