Album Review: Jay Park – ‘Take A Deeper Look’ (mini-album)

Album release date: 2011
Genre: R&B/pop, Hip Hop, Kpop
Rating: 3.5/5                
Review by: jct

The kind of music on Jay Park’s first solo album, Take A Deeper Look, is exactly what is expected from him: enjoyable, energetic dance music with some slow jams. Take A Deeper Look is no masterpiece and it doesn’t aim to be. It’s simple, good-time music about having fun, dealing with girlfriend issues, and among other things. Although there are some obvious shortcomings, Jay proves here that he has no intention of being gone and forgotten anytime soon.

An Enjoyable Ride

On his first mini album, Jay provides a range of musical genres including R&B, pop, dance and Hip-Hop/rap. The album’s title track, “Abandoned (feat. Dok2)” is a mid-tempo R&B/pop track about a heart ache after knowing that a lover left him, and he feels alone and abandoned, as he sings, “I bet all things, just to always be with you/ I only got you/ Don’t go anywhere else/ But you left me, my heart hurts.” Also deserving mentioning are “Don’t Let Go”, which is a sensual and romantic R&B track, and “Level 1000 (with Dok2)”, a Hip Hop track where he expertly displays his rap skills. In some parts of the rap, surprisingly he sounds somewhat like Snoop Dogg.

Although Jay wrote all the songs and composed nearly all the songs, there are still some shortcomings. His vocals are limited and two-dimensional, and sometimes brittle and unremarkable. Also, the subject matter of the songs is almost completely unoriginal. However, his attempt in songwriting in his first solo album is still impressive. Although the number of guest appearances in this album is slightly abundant, they do not overwhelm Jay’s vocals and sometimes even help enhance the quality of the tracks.  

Overall, Jay may not be a top-tier vocalist, but he’s got enough charm and personality to make the things he sings enjoyable. Indeed, Take A Deeper Look is an enjoyable ride for those who enjoy R&B/pop and Hip Hop music.

Tracklist

1. Touch the Sky (ft. The Quiett)
2. Abandoned (ft. Dok2)
3. 오늘밤 (ft. 강민경 (Kang Min Kyung) of Davichi) (Tonight)
4. 너 없이 안돼 (Can’t Live Without You)
5. Don’t Let Go 
6. Level 1000 (with Dok2) 
7. Bestie