Music / Idols

20120210_seoulbeats_Jay_park_seoul_seatle

New Breed: First of His Kind?

Written by Maddie On February 19, 2012

To come upon substance in what seems to be an ocean of superficiality is refreshing as well as heartening, but to come upon a statement that one is the first of their kind: “appear[ing] suddenly to save the world of K-pop” doesn’t go without wanting to have it proven. By the end of “New Breed [Intro]’s” second verse, Jay Park makes his intentions very clear. New Breed is something of purpose done “to gain respect” and with the sole objective of doing what he loves… music. Yet, in this music genus called K-pop, can he really be considered the first of his species?

With the release of his two teaser images, he left English based K-pop news sites describing them as elusive, giving “no clues to [his] concept.” New Breed is not without concept, but without gimmicks. It’s straightforward and upfront to the point that it leaves you without seeing what’s plainly under your nose. Both images are descriptions of one persona, one identity teetering between a “short and ugly prince with a six pack” and “a king” without need of a crown. A charming dandy boy in a bow tie, black suit and dress shoes; a performer ostentatiously dressed, donning a daunting painted mask inspired by Zombie Boy.

Already having shown his abilities as a songwriter with Take a Deeper Look (2011), of which 6 out of 7 songs were written and composed by Jay Park himself, his level of knowledge and familiarity with various music genres comes with very little surprise, yet is impressive considering he is still a young artist. Having written and produced 80% of his first full studio album, whose tracks cover from K-pop, Dance Pop and Electronic to R&B, Soul, Hip Hop, and Acoustic, New Breed presents him as an all around performer knowledgeable of both Western music as well as K-pop.

Jay Park has also proven to be a very passionate musician considering how his Myspace controversy in 2009, in which comments were taken out of context, unfolded into his rupture from 2PM, his departure from South Korea and the termination of his contract with JYP Entertainment. Yet, this born and raised Seattle native, having already gained fluency in Korean during his training, also learned to write in Korean (which expanded his skills as a lyricist) thereafter. A feat, which he stated during an interview in Oct 2011, he never thought he would be able to do 3 years ago.

Having worked with producers like renowned US producer Rob Knox, Jeon Goon, Da Beat Freakz and AOM crew member and friend Cha Cha Malone, Park’s New Breed is very well engineered with addictive, upbeat and deep electronic beats. His collaboration with top Korean Hip Hop artists like Dok2, The Quiett, Dynamic Duo, Bizzy as well as power couple Tiger JK and Tasha, brings another level of content with rap lyrics written by artists who’ve already established themselves within the Korean Hip Hop scene.

New Breed isn’t only an affirmation of Park’s knowledge of different music genres and growth as an artist, but also an indication of his potential. Considering he is still a young artist, who has gone through a certain level of personal growth as a product of his experiences in South Korea, what is most evident in his album is his passion for music — writing, producing and performing.

After listening through the album in its entirety, the realization that it was created with honesty, passion and without gimmicks can’t go without appreciation and without leaving an impression.

Jay Park’s first Korean studio album stands up to his word: to create new music of which he hasn’t done before. Whether or not he is first of his kind, he is definitely distinct from other performers in K-pop. Yet, instead of needing to be saved, maybe what K-pop really was in need of was a bit of natural evolution.

Most Noteworthy Tracks:

“I Love You” (feat. Dynamic Duo)

Produced by Rob Knox and featuring Dynamic Duo, “I Love You” is beautifully engineered and beautifully written with a deep and clean electronic Hip Hop beat and an addictive melody.

“Go”

Produced by friend and AOM crewmember Cha Cha Malone and written by Jay Park, “Go” is an emotive R&B track with painfully honest lyrics.

“Star”

Written and composed Jeon Goon, “Star” is an R&B love song with a simple ¾ beat and reportedly inspired by the relationship between Se7en and Park Han Byul.

“Clap” (feat. Tiger JK and Tasha)

Produced by The Quiett and featuring Tiger JK and Tasha, “Clap” is a confident and energetic Hip Hop track with powerful lyrics in which Park stands alongside Korean Hip Hop legends.

“Know Your Name” (feat. Dok2)

“Know Your Name”(Acoustic Version Blue)

SB Album Rating: 4 out of 5

(Soompi, Daily K-pop, Daily K-pop, Manila Bulletin, ManilaBulletin, Jay Park Official Website , Korea Boo, Oh! K-pop, Oh My It’s K-pop, fyeahjaypark, jaybumaom0425, xOUTSiD3R, xDrawnedforLifex)

TAGS: Jay Park

Anonymous

The album is so well composed. The lyrics give you a story that draws you in, and the many genres and styles give you a chance to pick a song for any day and any mood. The intro still gives me goosebumps with its honesty, though ‘Byeol’ (Star) has become one of my personal faves.
http://twitter.com/AxiomStarr Ricky Sharma

The quiett’s on this album? Just found out his former label disbanded.
Soul company will be missed.

From the final concert: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2jrlkdLX70
Anonymous

After listening to all tracks I think New Breed would be my favorite album this year. I am definitely impressed by Mr. Jay Park’s improvement as an artist. Leaving 2pm was probably the best thing for him. I would have never believe he would resurrect his career and be successful so fast. I also love the collaborations, a format that is not seen too much in kpop. He must be doing something right for credible hip hop artists to collaborate with him.
Anonymous

People can say what they want about Jay but he will always have my respect as an artist. He practically single-handedly brought himself back in the worlds most unforgiving music industry (i.e S.Korea), has yet to forget about his crew AOM who were there for him when he fell and was at his lowest point, and has included them in almost every project he’s done.

Also I find his post 2pm work really beautiful, this album especially.

as a side note I dislike this new disqus thing where you have to login. Someone stole my user name TmL… just saying

Anonymous

Are you Boo?

Someone stole my name as well -_-.

- Fannie

http://twitter.com/PhanTheHotness Jenny

very impressed with this album
i think this album really shows himself
great job!

and LOVE Clap!!
http://www.facebook.com/roan.deguzman3 Ro-an de Guzman

the cover of his album is disturbing (affected by the illuminati symbolism much?) but the content of his songs are far from being disturbing because the music is not only bad-ass, but he has his mellow side of his music. What I liked most is his “Know your name”. It brings out the “kilig” (google that term, girls! That’s tagalog) out from me.

He has grown as a musician now. What’s more, is I believe, he has surpassed his former management, JYPE and 2PM, which, unfortunately, still stuck with the same old formula that JYP is neverendingly feeding on them.
Anonymous

I really like I Love You and Clap… A solid album indeed…
Anonymous

Honestly, his departure from 2PM was probably the best thing for him. I cannot listen to 2PM’s songs. But I can listen to most of Jay’s songs. His hard work and determination to get back into this industry is just incredible. Leaving 2PM forces him to improve himself by producing his own songs and gives him a chance to work with a lot of other great hip hop artists. That’s why until now, I still don’t think his crisis in 2009 was entirely bad.
Anonymous

I loved his recent album with “Clap” definitely being a fave. Like everyone already stated, I think leaving 2pm was the best for him . Yes it was a messy departure and he had to start up again, but to think if he was still in 2pm we probably wouldn’t have been exposed to his talents and he wouldn’t be able to be explore his potential because lets face it, with the exception of YG, idols aren’t really given the freedom to really develop their natural abilities behind the scenes. I mean during his 2pm time I understood he was quite passionate about music, but passion and talent are two different things, I had no idea he was as capable as he is in terms of composition and production . The bonus is he is still quite young and with the freedom that Sidus have been giving him this is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of developing that potential and I look forward to where he takes this. So far he has impressed me with just how polished his material has been considering he is a relatively new artist/musician when you think about it and I can only see him getting better with time if these past two albums are any indication. Also like others have said, I have a lot of respect for Jay , he came back into a business that is usually really unforgiving of scandals and on top of that he still remembers where he came from.
http://twitter.com/pc4mo pcmo

I loved Jay in 2PM but professionally and musically speaking, but leaving (or getting kicked out, depending on what you believe) and going solo was the best career move. His myspace comments were ignorant and immature, but he’s obviously matured and what’s kept him afloat in the harsh kpop industry is his great work ethic and attitude. It would’ve been easy for the industry to turn its back on him (it’s done it for people bigger than Jay Park in the past), but there’s a reason he managed to pull off a successful comeback.

saroj khan

well the industry did turn its back??the way they blew up the whole comments —u know media has a big hand on dat.but it was his fans and attitude and also his talent that brought him back not the industry .
ps:im curious as who are the other people –has the same thing happened to others??i onli know about jay??

Anonymous

Agreed with most comments here I am so proud him. He has been through alot but never gave up and continued to worked hard toward his dream. This album is “crazy” good I must have played I Love You at least 1000 times already :-) & he was better off as a solo artist so its all good.

But if someone knows the answer to this is he not allowed to be contact with his old members at all (thats what I heard)? I mean yeah during work I guess not (even though its petty but on a person free time that is just insane? ) & does he even talk to any of them at all just curious.

saroj khan

they are realli hush hush about that .i have no idea if he is even friends with them,just a waste of long freindship over who knows what….either way i would not want to know about that ,man!!at least you would think taec and khun would have his back ,i dont care about the breaking bit(it was good for jay )but when they decided to terminate him from the band.i cant even watch 2pm anymore ..its pretty sad
you still follow both jay and 2pm??i follow jay but regardless im happy for others in whatever they are doing even tho i dun relli follow them anymore.

Anonymous

I check on them now & then I was never a big 2pm fan XD but I did like some of their songs and really thought it was so sweet their friendship with one another before this whole drama. But both 2pm & Jay seem to be very happy & at the end of the day that is good enough for me.

Abbey Li

Jay Park really does seem to be the first of his kind. A fallen idol, not only rising back to fame, but also evolving into an actual artist?Back in 2010, if you had suggested that Jay Park was better off without 2PM, I would’ve verbally torn you to shreds - in a fangirl’s point of view, how could ANYONE be better off without his precious, brotherlike comrades? But in retrospect, Jay leaving the group really has been the better path for him. For me, the difference between an idol and an artist is that the idol listens to whatever the company says whereas a company listens to whatever the artist says (in terms of music, concept, etc.), and I believe that Jay’s elevated himself from the status of an idol to an artist after leaving. But I also wonder, if Jay’s idol image was … fake. I mean, maybe it’s that he’s matured, or that the controversy changed him, but looking back on it, maybe the idol Jaebum was hiding the artist Jay for all that time…

saroj khan

weel back then u would not even think about the disbandment .but i agree with you, him leaving 2pm was one the best thing he has done.he has grown so much in terms of an artist ,i cant say the same for the others tho.he has got a lot of respect from me ::D

Anonymous

I really do like the music he’s been putting out, but I just can’t listen to his chipmunk voice. Damnit, if I’m not watching the MV, it just sounds like a little boy singing. God Jay, how I wished you had a deeper voice.
Anonymous

this article is drivel, bull, platitudes, fill in the blanks