TITLE: SOMO:FUME
ARTIST: Jay B
LABEL: JYP ENTERTAINMENT
RELEASED: August 26, 2021
It’s been 8 months since GOT7 broke their shackles from JYP and went to find new homes. Our faithful leader, changed the spelling of his name, had a brief little “oops” with some artistic photos in his room, and really said his music is for the grown and sexy crowd. But here we are getting our first big bite of the kind of soloist that Mr. Lim is.
B.T.W (feat. Jay Park) – Title Track
Of course when Jay B went to H1GHR, we knew to expect a Jaebeom squared track. Lucky enough, he made it his title track. There are just some expectations when you hear a Cha Cha Malone song and this ticks all the boxes. Both Jay’s have falsettos that compliment each other and the song is super smooth. I really like it but part of me feels like this is so expected that I was a little bored? Either way, a bop.
AM PM (feat. Wheein)
I didn’t know I needed a collab between these two until this song came through the airpods. This is the kind of song that is perfect for just a rainy day or chillin in the house. I love how smooth this track is!
FAME (feat. JUNNY)
This is definitely a different vibe from BTW and I think it’s needed as the second lead single. I love the chill rapping from Junny and Groovyroom really gave a funky twist on this one.
In To You (feat. g1nger)
This might be the only track where I feel like the feature outshines Jay B. Not to say that he’s bad, but g1nger’s voice adds a soulfulness to this mellow song that compliments and elevates it. This song feels like really good sexual chemistry.
Switch It Up (feat. sokodomo)
When this was pre-released, I was playing this on repeat because it was that bitch. And now that it’s been some weeks, it still is. It’s sexy and with sokodomo’s rapping added, it gives it that hint of trendy that makes it a bop.
Count On Me
For some reason, this song feels more like a throwback to those early 2000’s R&B songs and I’m here for it. The slight tropical beat undertones is nice and works with the sexiness in Jay B’s tone.
Paranoia
I hate, hate, HATE that this song is CD only because it’s amazing! It’s that afro-trance vibe that I didn’t expect to come from Groovyroom and Jay B. This song has so many layers that to unpack it will take forever.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Vocally, this isn’t anything I didn’t already expect from Jay B. Having already listened to many of his soundcloud tracks, nothing was too surprising on this debut EP. It felt more as if Jay B was solidifying his brand. It is truly a style of his own that he is laying the ground work down for. I think the highlight of the EP was really the producing team that H1GHR provided for our fearless leader. The Groovyroom songs were definitely a highlight. And all the features he had really brought his songs to a level that makes me anticipate what more he has in store for this post-idol career.
PRODUCTION : 3.5 / 5
VOCALS / RAPPING : 3 / 5
VISUALS / CONCEPT : 3 / 5
OVERALL: 3 / 5
Favorite Track(s): AM PM, FAME
Unbothered Unnies 