Bonafide superstar and embodiment of hope, BTS’s j-hope is back with the next installment of his hope on the street series. The album titled Hope On The Street Volume.1 contains six brand new songs which serve as the companion piece to the in depth documentary series, which delves into his passion for dance, the techniques and history of various genres as well as his journey from street dancing to global recognition with BTS.
The six-track album is a goodie bag brimming with sweet treats full of future dance floor hits. Each song is to link with the release of each episode of the docu-series that take place in Osaka, Gwangju, Paris, Seoul and New York. The project is produced, composed, and written by j-hope, and in a hand written letter for the album, he passionately states. “This album and the contents are more important than usual. This album and the contents will allow you to get to know your friend J-Hope a little more than usual, and it is one of the cultures that I want to continue to lead. Good music makes a good dance. Our movements are connected to music, and in the end, our natural formula is expressed in a lot of ways. Ah, this is the meaning, the charm of street dance, I want to show you through this content and album.”
And with that said, he’s true to his word, as the album is there for people who have a passion for dance, and HOTS truly is a gem to get those moves in order. For those skeptical about getting up to dance, Hoseok has just the song to get you moving whether you want to or not, and that is ‘Lock/Unlock’ feat Benny Blanco and the iconic musician Nile Roger’s. The mix of funky disco beats, and a foot thumping bass will have you imagining yourself at a roller skate disco rink.
We’re joined by some familiar names in K-pop featuring on two tracks, and the first is by BTS golden maknae Jeon Jungkook on ‘I Wonder’, a blend of rhythms that whirl around, and together their dreamy vocals blend together gorgeously on the chorus ‘This love/ right now/ it’s all we got / all we need / we’re happy now /so why don’t we ride this feeling?/ just dance right now. As per usual, and as always the members are spreading a positive and exciting message to fans. One can’t help but think it’s perhaps an inkling of future sounds and meaning for the future of BTS and ARMY.
‘I don’t know‘ is a sexy and stylish dance track featuring fellow label mate Huh Yunjin LE SSERAFIRM whose vocals ooze style, and French sophistication due to the intro spoken word. It’s obvious that this album has been made to encourage the listener to dance and get involved. Another note is that this whole album could easily be taken on tour, with each song sounding as if it’s made for giant audiences to be jumping about happily singing out in unison “Where we’re gonna be at/ I don’t know, I don’t care.”
Rounding off the album with ‘NEURON’ (featuring Gaeko and Yoon Mirae), this is an extra special track that features his neuron dance crew. A group that gave him the start he desperately craved and worked hard for. Additionally, a motion picture featuring the artists was released in conjunction with the album. Overall, hope on the street is everything fans have come to love about j-hope, an artist who has achieved so much yet still has his feet firmly planted on the ground. What’s inspiring is his strive to learn, stay true to his craft, and expand his skills. He’s soared to greater heights with the ever-changing genres and sounds that ebb and flow delightfully from start to finish.
“Hope On The Street vol.1” is available on all streaming platforms, and Hope On The Street the docu series on Amazon prime now.
