BTS member V's solo album 'Layover' has been recognized for its artistry, securing the 2nd spot in 'Billboard's Best K-Pop Albums of 2023.'
On December 29, Billboard announced its 'Top 25 Best K-Pop Albums of 2023.' Billboard explained that the list was ranked based on albums primarily in Korean that offered a broader vision and a conceptual narrative, touching Billboard's pop columnists.
V's 'Layover' was categorized as an album where the solo artist builds his own world based on the music that inspires him and introduces this world to listeners.
Billboard, in its introduction of 'Layover,' praised V as an old soul who loves jazz and Lo-Fi soul. The album, influenced by his past playing the saxophone as a child, differs significantly from BTS's albums and showcases a realm unique to the star V.
The album offers a concise and immersive listening experience in under 20 minutes. From the romantic melancholy in 'Love Me Again' and 'Slow Dancing' to the progressively smoother and sweeter culmination in the falsetto-highlighted final track 'For Us' and the piano version of 'Slow Dancing,' it's been analyzed as a journey of deepening tenderness.
The flute solo in the latter part of 'Slow Dancing' was described as daring yet endearing, representing V's commitment to his musical vision. It noted that each track from 'Layover' is visually represented in music videos, immersing the audience further into V's world, with every visual code filled with vintage elements. Also, it recognized that as a solo artist, his vision was actualized through 'Tiny Desk Korea' live performance and band sessions.
V's 'Layover' and its singles have not only been acclaimed by Billboard but also received high praise from esteemed music magazines like Rolling Stone and Time Out, lauding V's unique musical world and selecting them as some of the best albums and songs of 2023.
Furthermore, 'Layover' became the longest-charting album on the Billboard 200 chart in 2023 based on K-Pop solo standards. Establishing a long-term record on the album chart demonstrates that 'Layover' as a whole has been continually loved by listeners for its high quality.
