Jungkook has found a winning formula with singles that cater to Y2K pop sounds and feature a popular American rapper. His summer hit Seven proved more durable then expected, offering a breezy take on garage music with a simple — but addictive — hook. If Seven borrowed liberally from Fill Me In era Craig David, new single 3D finds its roots in Justin Timberlake’s 2002 debut album Justified.
If Jungkook intends to offer a year-by-year whistle stop tour of the 2000’s, I’ll gladly board this train. Like Seven, 3D hinges on repetition and groove. It’s not particularly flashy, but its percolating percussion and smooth melodies quickly get under your skin. This matches Jungkook’s tone, which has always worked best when gliding over lithe phrasing. Because of this, 3D‘s opening verse is far more satisfying than the flashy posturing found in verse two. When it comes to song construction, airy ease is his friend. Fortunately, 3D‘s chorus knows this well. It’s not as instantly earwormy as Seven, but its groove may win out in the end.
As far as collaborators go, Latto wins this round easily. I’m not a big fan of Jack Harlow’s presence on the track. It feels like a mismatch, interrupting 3D‘s effortless groove. And honestly, “dead body” is a jarring lyric in any context. There’s too much of him on 3D for my taste and his verses lack the catchy silliness Latto brought to Seven. Apart from that, this is a successful follow-up and bodes well for Jungkook’s upcoming album. So far, he’s two for two.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
You know, I’m loving the music Jungkook has put out this year. It’s a surprise considering that I’m not a big fan of his music pre-2023.
I was very skeptical about him going for a Western(?) approach for his solo career; dropping English singles and such; but so far what he has been putting out is great! I love how nostalgic and funky “3D” is. I could see myself liking the song as much as “Seven” as time passes.
But honestly, I’m not a big fan of the rap this time around; it feels so awkward. I prefer the alternate version of “3D”.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yup yup.
Personally I love the Alternate version *but* with the ending rap verse. Tho someone on Youtube might have done that already hahaha
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like this a lot better than Seven actually. I like the verses and the chorus was cool. Also rapper Jungkook is back so that’s an automatic 10 in bias for me
8.75/10
LikeLiked by 2 people
I am probably going to be in the minority here, but I really don’t understand why JK – with all his potential to become THE next huge pop boy and money maker – keeps releasing these utterly bland and generic songs. Is this really all the industry songwriters and producers can offer him?
On Seven, he got to play a rip-off Craig David, now it’s rip-off JT – and in both cases, the original artists delivered their songs with a lot more charisma. Next, it’s probably going to be nostalgia-Bieber or what not – but where is his own flavor? I simply refuse to believe that the industry does not have anything more exciting to offer to him than these radio-friendly nostalgia beats and second rate rap features.
….or maybe I just don’t vibe with his music and that’s okay as well.😅
LikeLiked by 2 people
Manifesting it on his (allegedly) upcoming EP…
LikeLike
It’s gonna be a full-length album with 11 tracks. It was just announced today.
LikeLike
Oh I agree. I mean, its a nice song, but its is so middle of the road, an almost generic leading male solo sound these days. It’s “nice”.
LikeLike
I think his greatest skill right now is that if you were to give him a song and say, “Sing this like XYZ,” he’ll be able to do it. That’s not a bad skill to have, especially in a commercial sense. I don’t think we’ll get a sense of his individuality on the album given that it’s in English. But the purpose of the album doesn’t seem to be artistic expression, just world pop domination. Maybe he will get there someday, but for now he/they seem to want to lay down this particular foundation.
As for the song itself, the rap verses pretty much ruined it for me, so…
LikeLike
Agreed. I actually do kind of enjoy the song because it IS very Timberlake, but as you said – it’s missing the charisma of JT. I’d also argue it’s missing the charisma of Timbaland’s production too. Very curious to see if he’ll find more of his own signature for his album but I can’t say I’m hopeful
LikeLike
Nobody can even do stuff like The Neptunes, let alone Timbaland, lols.
LikeLiked by 1 person
why put effort into being a huge popstar when you can put zero effort in and still be a huge popstar lol
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s okay to be in the minority, as long as you know what you like.
The song is okay-ish. I much rather listen to this on radio. At least it is rhythmic.
LikeLike
Yeah you don’t cause this song literally became my best song the same day it was released
LikeLike
I prefer his karaoke music to this. Generic. Anybody can sing it. It doesn’t feel like him and the rappers in 7 and 3D cheapen the songs. Didn’t know either one of these artists but will never listen to them anyway because of their input. Banned forever. Nasty people. I will always be a fan of Jungkook. Hate both of these songs because I personally know that children will be singing along without knowing hopefully what the words mean. 🤮.
LikeLike
Jungkook-3D reminds me of Justin Timberlake a lot and Michael Jackson. 3D is going to be Jungkook’s second number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and Jack Harlow’s third number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not tracking for it.
LikeLike
Its a meh for me. I guess I like JK’s voice in emotive songs more than coasting earworm pop. I prefer his singing korean or japanese rather than english. The worse parts of the song is actually Jack Harlow’s parts, his rapping and lyrics both pulled down the song. If Seven was a B-, this one is a C- for me.
LikeLike
This song is a total Bop and it will become huge everywhere. As everyone here says…..Just my opinion!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like everyone said, very Justin Timberlake, but the era of JT I actually enjoy so this song gets a pass despite the clunky rap section which I didn’t think was too bad.
LikeLiked by 2 people
JK might be playing it safe and missing out with this 3D agenda. I mean, 4D has been around for a while now…just saying🙃
I’m not sure what this says about me but If the “Alternate Ver.” was in Korean I would like it a little more, quickly add it to my playlist and rate it an 8/10 because its nice, catchy and listenable.
The western collaboration dragged the song down and once again, I found it unnecessary so it gets a 7/10.
PS: Jin’s “The Astronaut” is the only BTS solo song I’ve REALLY enjoyed so far✌🏻
LikeLike
“Astronaut” has of all the solo songs the best songwriting. It is at its heart a Coldplay song of a sound that harkens back to their “Viva La Vida” era, which was a very good era for Coldplay. The song has a grace and a lovely curve of the chorus up to a crescendo and down again in two lines that is great to sing. The lyrics are plainly said, and rhyme (or close enough). And that is just about everything. A couple lines that are so well crafted to build a song around.
LikeLike
Reading your description of “The Astronaut” is an example of why I enjoy The Bias List so much.
I could never describe a song the way some of you do here and it is fascinating to me.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Frankly, I did not like the song 3D or the song Seven. I feel that they do not match Jungkook’s personality, and I do not know why he insists on making a song in English when his voice is good in Korean and he likes to follow the American style instead of the Korean style of singing!!!! So my recent rating of his songs is 5/10
LikeLike
Pop is JK’s chosen genre. I’m absolutely fine with that. It’s fun, playful if based on a formula. Yes, his voice is built for far better, but he’s spreading his wings. Seven is a total bop. 3D actually is too, and it’s definitely an ear worm. Except for Jack. The misogynistic, racist, demeaning to women blah mid corny rhyming for the sake of rhyming throws everything off. The song, the mood, the fun. The alternative version without his rap is so much better, it just flows.
Remember too that there’s a good chance the songs being presented are coming from HYBE US (scooter Braun), which is a whole different head from HYBE SK. 3D, the rap in particular, has generated another War of Hormones where BTS had to go through it because some of the lyrics were really sketchy and yes, there was misogyny there. But they learned from it. They had help learning, in their native tongue. Like, I’m well aware JK is a grown man. But there’s still a language barrier even with translators. Does he know that abg is a slur/used by mostly white men with a fetish?
LikeLike
Yeah but the biggest difference between this and WOH is that the lyrics of war of hormones were written by members of BTS. The entire rap part of this was written by Jack Harlow who isnt a member of BTS and I highly doubt Jungkook had any input on any of Jack’s verses.
LikeLike
Jungkook didn’t have any input on Jungkook’s verses. That seems to be the issue.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This song is so catchy and groovy. So thankful hybe put out a version without Jack harlow in it. He is without a doubt the absolute worst part of this song. Latto’s rap at least had good flow and added to the song. Jack’s verse actually takes away the enjoyment of listening to the song.
LikeLike
I like the alternate version a lot, and the instrumental is good. Still, I hope when he plays live, he gets a funky horn section, a loud guitarist, and/or a soulful keyboardist (preferably on a vintage Hammond B3). It just needs some grime to be a classic.
LikeLike
This song is so-so. Passable. A mixture of Senorita and Like I Love You with super bad rap. What it lacks is JT’s playful sexuality or silky smooth charisma, lols. Jungkook, despite his many tattoos, is simply not as ‘playful’ as JT.
LikeLike
Oooh agree to disagree on that. I think he is on his way to surpassing JT imo. And his range as an artist is much wider once he gets bored of the effboy pop.
LikeLike