We’re slowly moving out of BTS’s enlistment era and into their post-enlistment work as members return from the military with solo projects. First up was Jin late last year and now J-Hope is here with Sweet Dreams, a collaboration with soulful crooner Miguel. This follows a guest stint on Don Toliver’s LV Bag last month and sees him dipping a toe in the water with a subdued sound.
As its title suggests, Sweet Dreams is a syrupy confection. It forgoes ambition for a light touch, bopping along as weightless as air. Miguel’s hook extends through a large portion of the track, leaving J-Hope to echo those soaring vocals with a grittier (and less melodically interesting) refrain. The verses are largely sung as well, delivered with a hazy ease that acts as a musical balm. Balms are by their very nature healing, but this song is plain old ChapStick rather than the fun flavored stuff. It’ll get the job done but isn’t exactly exciting.
This pleasant indistinctness extends to the instrumental, which opts for a hushed — almost lo-fi — R&B groove. Percussion keeps the song going yet plays second fiddle to the airy backing vocals and general sense of “vibe.” This makes Sweet Dreams a great choice to soundtrack a lazy Sunday morning or a leisurely early-spring walk. However, I prefer a bit more pep in my step so I’ll wait until J-Hope returns with something more inspired.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.25 |
It’s cute, but not something I’d wanna visit too often.
Rating’s the same
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Agreed. It is a good song, just not for me.
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its good, not my favorite but its hobi so why wouldn’t i listen to it (the hook kinda reminds me of swae lee & post malone’s sunflower (still a bop btw))
ratings an 8 for me
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Reminded me of sunflower as well.
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Ephemeral like a fresh spring breeze that comes and then goes.
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Out of the service and right back into the same old thing.
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it exists I guess. If you like it cool
7/10 (7, 7, 7, 7) for me
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Meh, I adore Miguel and have loved his music for years and this feature on a JHope song is unexpected. It’s okay but this wasn’t anything special. Honestly, this could have been Miguel ft. JHope as I felt JHope didn’t add much to the song.
I don’t know if its just me but I find it really interesting how some of these recent kpop solos are featuring r&b and rap features. It makes me wonder if their lables don’t think they could carry a solo song on thier own. For example, Lisa and Jennie’s solo efforts ft. artist like Doechii, Tyla, Meg the Stallion, etc.
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This is typical song that would be viral in the covid era. This sounds so nostalgic to me😭
8/10
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All I’m hoping is that this is a pre-release for Hope on the Street Vol. 2.
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