Jin’s ‘Happy’ Album: Every Track Ranked

A dive into harder rock territory, the alternative track brims with intensity to liken personal growth to leveling up in a game. Despite the gritty guitars and the ominously anthemic build, “Another Level” fits the theme of Happy with inspirational lines like “Don’t be scared/ …We’ll bounce back and hit another level” on the chorus. The charge performance sees Jin in full-fledged rock-star form.

With such a tight project like this six-song Happy, “Another Level” ranking sixth is not a slight but speaks to the album’s strength.

Longtime ARMY fans know that some of Jin’s best solo moments are just him and a piano: His solo stage of “Epiphany” during BTS’ Love Yourself World Tour, the quiet moments of his gorgeous 2020 fan track “Abyss” or his ballad “Yours” that he contributed to the soundtrack for Korean drama Jirisan. But perhaps his most essential piano moment comes via “I will come to you,” Jin’s’ heartfelt letter to ARMY.

The lyrics promise reunion and warmth, capturing Jin’s’ gratitude and longing after time spent apart from fans due to his mandatory military service. The minimalist instrumentation allows Jin’s’ soft and clear vocals to take center stage, making for a timeless, poignant pinnacle of his gratitude as he closes the song repeating the final lines: “I will come to you/ If you need me, I will come to you.”

The album’s electrifying centerpiece, “Running Wild” blends new wave and British rock — an unexpectedly perfect fit for Jin’s shining singing style. His vocals transition seamlessly between soothing low tones and soaring falsettos, sharing the hopeful message of running breathlessly toward joy amid chaos. With expert production and writing from Gary Barlow, the lead singer and primary songwriter for massive U.K. pop group Take That, “Running Wild” is well tailored for a fellow boy band member to share with the world.

Sang entirely in English, the track has an additional universal appeal to make it a standout track that also manages to echo Jin’s personality and optimism. The song could likely make it onto the Top 40 Pop Airplay or Mainstream Rock radio charts with the right push.

Paired with a cinematic, visually stunning music video, the “Running Wild” visual underscores themes of Happy to see the joy in life’s simple moments as Jin finds comfort and warmth with his dog even in an apocalyptic setting.

This pre-release single delivers an upbeat rockabilly charm to reintroduce us to Jin’s brilliantly vibrant vocals. Co-written with BTS buddy MAX, who helped pen the group’s 2022 single “Yet to Come” and has collaborated with Suga twice, “I’ll Be There” lets a new type of rock star pop out of Jin with a playful but sincere delivery — one that feels all-encompassing of who Jin is as a performer and dad joke-cracking 31-year-old.

Just the title by itself gives the song a message of comfort, with its uplifting message speaking to generally to anyone who might isolated or alone, but also specifically to his ARMY fans: “I swear that I will always sing for you/ Sing for you, oh-oh-oh/I’ll be there for you.”

Brimming with color and joyful energy, the “I’ll Be There” music video portrays Jin as a down-to-earth rock star, effortlessly spreading good vibes and laughter through a city, showing that he can appeal to all, even when dipping back into the early 1950s at the height of rockabilly, one of the earliest stylistic breakouts from rock ‘n’ roll. Whether as soloists or in a group, BTS has always stood for making sure their personal messages are available to everyone. Ultimately, Jin mixing his animated personality and comforting messages through unexpected musical genres is the perfect summation.