Jay Park – ‘JOAH’ review

My favourite solo K-pop artist is back with new music! I always look forward to new releases from Jay Park as rarely has the dude disappointed. Jay put out an awesome English-Korean rap track (appropriately titled) “Appetizer” in February, produced by fellow Art Of Movement crew member and good friend Cha Cha Malone. Needless to say, that was just a teaser to what Jay Park has on the way.

Jay Park Joah MV screencapTitled ‘JOAH,’ this is yet another set of releases before Jay Park comes out with his second full-length album. He employed a similar strategy last year before the release of the stellar ‘New Breed’.

“JOAH”

Going by the teaser, I figured “Joah” was going to be in the same vein as “Girlfriend” was. And with a title that means “like” in Korean, it was sure to be a sweet tribute to a girl crush. “Joah” is a mid-tempo track with subtle piano keys that keep you swinging in melancholy, or simply bopping your head to the thumping beats. The song isn’t groundbreaking in anyway, and is a reminder the production talents of Jay Park’s friends can be a bit limiting (to some extent). It does feel familiar — but I still ended up liking it after two or three listens.

What I liked more was the music video, filmed in Jay Park’s hometown of Seattle. It’s a refreshing change of scene and literally “out of the box,” if you K-pop MV addicts know what I mean. There isn’t any choreographed dancing either, but no worries, we Jaywalkerz know he has moves in store for his next release 😉

“Joah” is a good listen none the less. Proof that Jay Park, despite his image of body tattoos and overall badass-ery, is just a sweet homeboy at heart. – 3.5/5

Jay Park Joah MV screencapThe other tracks on this EP include “Welcome” – a sexy bedroom track. Jay just seems to love making slow ballads like this, or it’s just his love for R&B contemporaries like Treyz Songz and the like. Finally we have “1HUNNIT” featuring frequent collaborator Dok2. This sounds like Snoog Dogg track I can’t seem put my finger on (or was it Busta Rhymes?).

Still, with four songs out already, I can’t wait to see what Jay Park has in store for the rest of the year. His contract with SidusHQ ends this year and he’s already stated his crew are filming several music videos for his upcoming album. This could also be Jay Park’s last Korean album for a while as he attempt to crack America next.

Rest assured, 2013 sounds like it could be an exciting year for us fans!

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9 Comments

  • snsdtaeyeonlove1

    11/04/2013

    please don’t talk about music producing as you are deluded

    HonestMel Reply:

    Amen.

  • HonestMel

    11/04/2013

    Smh…What about the production is limiting? If you never knew about the producer being his “friend”, i’m sure your opinion would’ve rendered differently. That producer has been producing for 12 years. What would you rather have heard–A 20 piece orchestra? Anything more or less would’ve been too much or too little…To each his own.

  • nates

    12/04/2013

    Just wanted to leave a comment and say that I don’t think your review was deluded in the least bit. I found myself nodding in agreement with a lot of what you said.

    Mithun Divakaran Reply:

    Thank you. Some people in the name of fandom just can’t accept anything that sounds like it could be criticism. I just stated an opinion.

  • CieLPress Rulez

    12/04/2013

    really good song. i love the song. btw, credits to u for the review!

  • Ri U

    12/04/2013

    I honestly feel that everything about this promotion is done well. I think you can make an argument for “limiting production” video and music wise but at the end of the day it still all fits. The video, the instrumental, the melody just all come together to create this really great feel. I’d also like to point out that familiar can be a good thing. Familiar can be hearing a song that brings you back to a memory you thought you lost. I think that JOAH is a testament to AOM’s abilities because of that. It’s a song that you feel you remember, I think more because it includes a feeling that all of us know well.

    That’s my opinion anyways.

    Mithun Divakaran Reply:

    Oh, I like the video. The “limited” was in regards to Jay relying on his friends for music production. Although they’re talented, their musical abilities haven’t matured to the extent of say, Teddy Park or Sweetune.

    Ri U Reply:

    Okay, I’ll give you that. Makes sense~

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