Be Yourself (EP) explained

Be Yourself
Type:ep
Artist:Jay B
Cover:BeYourselfJayB.jpg
Caption:Digital cover
Length:17:26
Label:CDNZA
Prev Title:Love
Prev Year:2022
Next Title:Abandoned Love
Next Year:2022

Be Yourself is the third extended play by South Korean singer Jay B, released on September 21, 2022, through CDNZA Records.[1]

Background and release

After signing with CDNZA Records on July 22, 2022,[2] Jay B immediately started working on a new album, beginning with writing the lyrics, and Be Yourself was announced the following September 2.[3] [4] The theme of the album is to express oneself freely without caring what others think, and was born from suggestions sent to the singer by fans about what kind of music they would like to hear.[5] [6] Jay B stated that he didn't decide on the theme in advance, but that he developed it by working and thought he wanted to talk about himself getting stronger. "Sunny" counterpart of and Love., Be Yourself draws inspiration from the singer's b-boy roots, celebrating freedom and friendship in a pop atmosphere of gratitude.

Under the pseudonym Def., Jay B is credited for the lyrics or composition of all tracks.[7] The first song, "Go Up", combines funk pop and new jack swing, with the lyrics talking about going beyond other people's expectations and finding true freedom.[8] "Break It Down", which features rapper Sik-K, urges to try something new, "Livin'" talks about setting independent goals and expectations for the future, and "The Way We Are" is a message for his fans. The last two songs are entirely in English: "Fountain of Youth" expresses the value of friendship, while the slow R&B song "Holyday", based on gospel, is a thank you and encouragement to conquer the world.[9] [10]

Critical reception

Divyansha Dongre of Rolling Stone India stated: "Be Yourself's ingenious storytelling with a wondrous soundscape and vocal performance weaves a tranquil ambiance, making it easy for the listener to not only understand Jay B at a deeper level but seamlessly follow his train of thoughts too. Though just six tracks long, the EP is thematically tight with a clear message and rarely digresses from its core theme. It is not far from being the sonic equivalent of a self-help guide that teaches you how to live life than merely exist."[11]

For Nandini Iyengar of Bollywood Hungama, "with Be Yourself he presents us Jay B who paints a vibrant picture of living life in the moment and living it as honestly as possible." She noted that the singer, in addition to giving a sneak peek of his thoughts and heartfelt note of gratitude to the Got7 members and fans, had amalgamated different genres, sonically beautiful melodies and thoughtful lyrics, concluding "Be Yourself definitely feels like a spring album and utter triumph in his discography."

NME defined Be Yourself "an oeuvre that is complex as it is cohesive," whose credit goes to "Jay B's painfully crystalline voice, striking when you least expect it, whether he plays with high or low registers, hip hop verses or sweeping ballads."[12] In an article recommending the must listen songs released in September 2022, Sports Donga's journalist Jeon Hyo-jin included "Break It Down", commenting that the record itself was a representation of freedom and put a person at ease, and wondering how far Jay B's musical spectrum could further expand.[13]

At the end of the year, Bandwagon included it in the list of the best albums of 2022, praising the sonic richness and exploration of other genres besides the R&B Jay B is known for.[14]

Commercial performance

Be Yourself debuted in seventh place in South Korea on the Circle Weekly Album Chart, with copies sold.[15] It was the 16th best selling album for the month of September 2022, with copies.[16]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Mania Database.[17]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Peak
position
South Korean Albums (Circle)7

Monthly charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Peak
position
South Korean Albums (Circle)[18] 16

Notes and References

  1. Web site: GOT7's Jay B releases sophomore album 'Be Yourself' . news.yahoo.com . September 21, 2022 . 2022-10-07.
  2. Web site: Jay B and Sik-K Part Ways With H1GHR Music . Divyansha Dongre . Rolling Stone India . 2022-07-25 . 2022-10-09.
  3. Web site: Jay B of GOT7 to soon release new EP 'Be Yourself' . Yim Seung-hye . . 2022-09-02 . 2022-09-21.
  4. Web site: GOT7's JAY B announces sophomore EP 'Be Yourself' . Gladys Yeo . NME . 2022-08-29 . 2022-09-21.
  5. Web site: 갓세븐 JAY B, 자유+유쾌 에너지로 컴백..21일 'Be Yourself' 발매 . Seon Mi-kyung . entertain.naver.com . ko . 2022-09-21.
  6. Web site: 'Be Yourself': K-pop singer Jay B talks new music, his UAE visit and Got7 . Thoraya Abdullahi . The National . 2022-09-14 . 2022-09-21.
  7. Web site: 갓세븐 제이비, '손글씨'로 채운 새 앨범 트랙리스트 공개 . . ko . 2022-09-21.
  8. Web site: 갓세븐 제이비, 'Be Yourself' 음원 일부 공개…자유분방 에너지 . 2022-09-16 . ko . 2022-09-21.
  9. Web site: '컴백' 제이비 "유쾌하고 편안하게 다가가고자..보답 노력"[일문일답] ]. Park Seo-hyun . 2022-09-21 . ko . 2022-10-09.
  10. Web site: JAY B revels in personal growth in joyous smasher 'Be Yourself': Album Review . Nandini Iyengar . . 2022-09-28 . 2022-10-09.
  11. Web site: Exclusive: Why Jay B is a Symbol of Authenticity . Divyansha Dongre . Rolling Stone India . 2022-10-07 . 2022-10-09.
  12. Web site: JAY B: "These days my burden is growing, so I try to instil the mindset of enjoying it all" . Tássia Assis . NME . 2022-09-27 . 2022-10-08.
  13. Web site: 비오, 대세의 감각 [DA:스퀘어] ]. entertain.naver.com . ko . 2022-10-08.
  14. Web site: 2022-12-30 . Top Albums/EPs of 2022: Bandwagon's Picks — Epik High, Beyoncé, RM, ena mori, j-hope, DPR IAN, Utada Hikaru, and more . 2023-01-01 . en.
  15. Web site: Circle Album Chart - Week 39, 2022 . 2022-10-17 . Circle Chart.
  16. Web site: Circle Chart - Album Chart for September 2022 . 2022-10-17 . Circle Chart.
  17. Web site: JAY B - Be Yourself [ep] (2022) ]. 2022-10-17 . maniadb.com.
  18. Web site: Circle Album Chart – September 2022. Circle Chart. ko. November 21, 2022.

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