‘Kwon Ji Yong’ is G-Dragon’s first solo album since ‘Coup D’etat’ in 2013. In this album G-Dragon gives us a close-up and personal view of Kwon Ji Yong, baring his soul in the process. This album shows us G-Dragon at his most vulnerable reflecting on his career, success, personal relationships and regrets.
‘MIDDLE FINGERS UP’
Source: YG Entertainment
The first track on the EP is at first listen the most ‘party’ track on the album. YG Entertainment warned us that the album would be full of sad songs and in reality it is, however, as the lead in song to the album, this song doesn’t feel that way.
‘Middle Fingers Up’ has a very reggae feel to it and features a lot of ‘word play’ in the lyrics. It has a very strong base beat which rolls and pulses through the track.
I’m sure when it is performed to a live audience, everyone will have their middle fingers up!
‘ACT I (BULLSHIT)’
Source: YG Entertainment
‘BULLSHIT’ was originally announced as the lead single from the album, and this song is most reminiscent of previous G-Dragon releases. It has a very Coup D’etat feel to it.
The track features sudden beat and rhythm changes that lead to a pulsing chorus and G-Dragon’s growling vocals.
It would seem to me that he is calling the haters out and telling them that they are like barking dogs.
Given that G-Dragon released images from the making of the music video for this track on his Instagram account, I think we will see the music video for this at some point in time.
‘ACT II (SUPER STAR)’
Source: YG Entertainment
The chorus of this song is sung in English and goes “I need somebody, I ain’t got nobody, I need somebody, any Goddam body”. This song is a very clever mix of trap and reggae elements. It’s the perfect laid-back, groovy, slow jam. But given the loneliness that G-Dragon is expressing through the lyrics, this song is way more upbeat than you would expect it to be.
‘ACT III (UNTILTED, 2014)’
Source: YG Entertainment
The title track of the album, ‘Untitled, 2014’ is stripped back to Kwon Ji Yong’s vocals and a piano. In a complete departure from what we would normally expect from G-Dragon, the song is very different to anything else on the album. The lyrics and vocals are fragile, even raw at times and convey his feelings of despair.
It leaves me wondering if something happened to him in 2014 that is yet to be finished and is therefore untitled. This song very clearly defines the difference between the personas of Kwon Ji Yong and G-Dragon. One is brash, loud and ready to give the world the finger, while the other is a heartbroken, raw man who is trying to find his way back. You decide which is which!
A beautiful, delicate track that deserves to be the title track of the album.
DIVINA COMMEDIA
Source: YG Entertainment
Dante’s “Divina Comedia” (The Divine Comedy) is one of the greatest works of literature in the world. The narrative poem describes Dante’s travels through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven. In this song, G-Dragon gives us his version of R&B laced with lyrics that speak of his frustration.
A clever fusion of G-Dragon singing and rapping again displays his vocal skills and includes his broken voice only adding further to the sense of frustration and exasperation which he finds himself in.
Just like ‘The Divine Comedy’ or the Truman Show (which is directly referenced in the lyrics) life is a show that we can’t always control.
Overall, Kwon Ji Yong comes across as an extremely personal album. G-Dragon has put his personal and private feelings on display for the world. He seems to be asking us to see the man behind the celebrity.
Have you had a chance to listen to ‘Kwon Ji Yong’ yet? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Source: YG Entertainment
Written and edited by Narelle
- Excited
- Fascinated
- Amused
- Bored
- Sad
- Angry
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