Jack In The Box [HOPE Edition]

by J-Hope

Overview

A month after K-pop superstars BTS announced they were taking a break from group activities, bandmember and rapper J-Hope released his debut solo full-length, Jack in the Box. As the first member to officially step out on his own, the artist born Jung Ho-seok delivers emotional depth and irresistible energy. Backed by rowdy production, his aggression, raspy delivery, and tongue-twisting bars take center stage, showcasing the rap-focused perspective that he brings to the BTS formula. His introspection also comes to the fore, balancing tempered optimism ("STOP"), hope for change ("= [Equal Sign]"), and comfort ("Safety Zone") with the contemplation of fame (the explosive "MORE") and his place in a broken world (the haunting "Pandora's Box"). It's a lot to pack into roughly 20 minutes, but J-Hope manages with equal parts heart and fire, like on the closing track "Arson." Longtime BTS fans who are familiar with the group's early rap-heavy days will delight at the hard beats and nostalgic production, which echo the best of old-school East Coast hip-hop (right down to the satisfying sample of Ol' Dirty Bastard's "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" on the rousing "What If..."). Of course, diehards will eagerly await the day when the BTS hiatus ends, but if the rest of the group members produce solo endeavors of this caliber, then that uncertain period should fly by quickly. ~ Neil Z. Yeung

Product Details

Release Date:	08/18/2023
Label:	Bighit Music / Hybe
UPC:	0196922462016
Rank:	4163

Tracks

1. Intro
2. Pandora's Box
3. More
4. Stop
5. = (Equal Sign)
6. Music Box : Reflection
7. What if...
8. Safety Zone
9. Future
10. Arson
11. Equal Sign [Lollapalooza Ver.]
12. Stop [Lollapalooza Ver.]
13. Future [Lollapalooza Ver.]
14. More [Instrumental]
15. [Untranslated] [Instrumental]

Album Credits

Performance Credits

J-Hope   Primary Artist,Rap,Vocals
Jaicko Lawrence   Vocals (Background)
Tim Chantarangsu   Sampling
Evan   Keyboards,Synthesizer
Melanie Fontana   Vocals (Background)
Asaf Rodeh   Bass
Hyo Joo Lee   Vocals (Background)
Carrice Whitley   Keyboards
Supreme Boi   Rap,Vocals
Clemons Poindexter   Drums
Ghstloop   Keyboards,Synthesizer
Yeon Eum Children's Choir   Vocals (Background)
Jiwoo Jung   Vocals (Background)
Yongchan Jo   Vocals (Background)
Jonathan Linav   Keyboards
Jackson Shepard   Guitar
Rick Carter   Sampling
P-Dogg   Guitar,Keyboards,Synthesizer
Dem Jointz   Keyboards,Synthesizer

Technical Credits

Evan Marien   Composer
Bobby Campbell   Mixing Engineer
Jaicko Lawrence   Engineer
Jonathan Garcia   Assistant,Mixing Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Clams Casino   Producer
Evan   Composer,Producer,Digital Editing,Post Production
Dwayne "Dem Jointz" Abernathy Jr.   Composer
Melanie Fontana   Composer
Asaf Rodeh   Arranger
Michael Volpe   Composer
Michel Schulz   Composer
Mitch Conwell   Composer
Supreme Boi   Composer,Engineer,Digital Editing
Brasstracks   Producer
Fatherdude   Vocal Samples
J-Hope   Composer,Engineer,Producer,Vocal Arrangement
Yang Ga   Mixing Engineer
Park Jinse   Mixing Engineer
Ghstloop   Composer,Producer,Digital Editing
Lindgren   Composer,Engineer
Summergal   Digital Editing
Woo Yeong Jeong   Mixing Engineer
Youn Soo Lee   Mixing Engineer
HYBE   Composer
Jonathan Linav   Programming
Barbados   Engineer
Rachanee Lumanayo   Engineer,Narrator
Chris Gehringer   Mastering Engineer
Ivan Rosenberg   Composer
Robert Diggs   Composer
R. Jones   Composer
R. Diggs   Composer
Ivan Jackson   Composer,Instrumentation
Scoop DeVille   Composer,Producer
P-Dogg   Composer,Engineer,Producer,Drum Producer,Digital Editing,Additional Production
Jaycen Joshua   Mixing Engineer
Ken Lewis   Mixing Engineer
Astrid Lindgren   Composer
Russell Jones   Composer
Dem Jointz   Producer,Instrumentation