Can You Feel the Reflective Message in BTS RM’s First Solo Album “Indigo”?

Kim Namjoon, also known as RM, has just released his first solo album, “Indigo,” a 10-track tribute to his 20s. He invited various collaborators, from Korean indie artists like Colde and Kim Sawol to his fellow musicians like Tablo of EPIK HIGH. Can You Feel the Reflective Message in BTS RM’s First Solo Album “Indigo”?

RM’s First Solo Album “Indigo” and Its Reflective, Protruding Message

Title Track – Wild Flower (with Youjeen)

RM’s first solo album stands out with its title track, “Wild Flower.” Featuring the lead singer of veteran Korean rock band Cherry Filter, RM shares his burdens and frustration in such a loud way. With its beautiful melody, “Wild Flower” is the perfect song to listen to when we feel lost and hopeless.

“If you’re feeling hopeless or if you’re standing on the brink of something, I think this song will really resonate with you.”

Cho Youjeen

RM’s First Solo Album Diligently, Well-Ordered Tracks

Yun (with Erykah Badu)

RM starts his first solo album with a meaningful truthful track. “Yun” is what RM felt deep in his heart, as well as how society judges us as humans. However, as a musician, RM dares to break society’s judgment and creates his own trend – by listening to yourself and your heart.

“In my album jacket, there’s a pile of jeans I wore on top of a stool that I actually use. And in the area high above that pile, there’s a painting I refer to in my first track (“Yun”) by artist Yun Hyongkeun that came out right before his signature style. It’s a painting that’s like his last study. I don’t think I’ve found my signature style yet. So that’s why I used that study piece.”

Kim Namjoon

Still Life (with Anderson .Paak)

The upbeat hip-hop track featuring Anderson .Paak “Still Life” gives the positive, funky energy to boost your day! RM raps of dashing forward on his own terms, liberated from yesterday’s regrets and tomorrow’s expectations – living the present, ignoring all the judgments.

“The past is gone
You don’t know the future
I’m catching my breath on a two-pronged road.
…
I just live today,
Every minute, every second
I bet everything I have
What you know about me, huh?”

All Day (with Tablo)

What will happen when two music geniuses work together? Creating a masterpiece! “All Day” by RM featuring Tablo of EPIK HIGH is one of the masterpieces. The way they put the words together in the lyrics shows how clever they are. Also, “All Day” is an homage to EPIK HIGH’s previous work, “Fly.”

“In fact, the body is nothing, the mind is more of the problem,” says Namjoon, one of the Kpop idols with the highest IQ.

건망증 (with Kim Sawol)

The guitar melody with thought-provoking lyrics of “건망증” can be one of the best tracks of “Indigo.” Although RM tried to tell his story as a superstar when things move so quickly, this track is also relatable to people who live during the COVID-19 pandemic, where morning seems to come and go just as it is. Moreover, as a naturalist, RM enjoys walking in nature, which he can hardly do after every single person on this planet Earth knows him.

“With numerous thorns
The morning that comes and goes
In my own way I am anesthetizing myself
…
I can’t go to the park
But I like the color of nature.”

Closer (with Paul Blanco, Mahalia)

A unique combination of RM with Korean-Canadian singer, producer, rapper Paul Blanco and a British Jamaican singer, songwriter, actress Mahalia creates a delicate yearning for love.

Change pt.2

RM swerves into an electro-rap lane with “Change Pt.2” and announces, “things change, people change, everything change.” The interlude appears reminiscent of his 2017’s “Change” featuring Wale, which challenged issues facing the West and East at that time. Though, RM revealed that “Change Pt.2” has no relation with “Change” in 2017. The rawness and coarseness in this song are what RM calls art that music lovers enjoy.

Lonely

In “Lonely,” RM once again talks about isolation, yearning, and regret that most people can relate to. The multi-talented rapper sings his soul out through this song. Though the lyrics sound depressing, it’s a comforting and beautiful song to listen to.

“I wrote Lonely in the hotel in Las Vegas. I really do hate hotels a lot. The reason I went around too much looking for museums so much was because I hate hotels. I wanted Indigo to have this drive song kind of feeling and this song seems to have that feel the most.”

Kim Namjoon

Hectic (with Colde)

RM’s raspy, sexy smooth vocal is another thing you have to expect from “Indigo.” Collaborating with Colde in “Hectic,” RM talks about how hard it is to connect to life in a more sensible and tranquil way as a superstar at the end of their 20s. Uniquely, we can directly realize the connection between “Hectic” and “Seoul” (prod. HONNE) from his previous EP “Mono.”

“We still love and hate this city.”

No.2 (with Park Jiyoon)

The light acoustic guitar ballad “No.2” featuring Park Jiyoon softly closes RM’s first solo album. With the comforting lyrics, RM reminds us to keep moving on no matter what has happened in the past. It’s like a warm hug to the younger yourself. Let’s forgive your younger self for every mistake, bad choice, and immatureness.

“Yes, you did your best.”

Let’s keep streaming RM’s first solo album “Indigo”

RM has much to say through his first solo album, “Indigo.” However, as he stated, “Now this album isn’t mine, once the album comes out, it’s up to the listeners, so I don’t want to stick words on it anymore and want to leave the empty space to your guys (for your interpretation).”

I personally feel that the more we listen to the whole album, the more we can relate to the story and message RM or Namjoon wants to say through his album.

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