T.O.P made his solo debut all the way back in 2010 as part of a dual project with fellow Bigbang member G-Dragon. Since then, he’s hardly released any solo music and eventually wound up leaving the group altogether to focus on acting. Given this, it’s a bit surprising that — sixteen years later — he’s released his first full solo album and plans to steadily release more in the coming years.

To tell you the truth, I had no idea what to expect from T.O.P music in 2026. His past tracks have been (unsurprisingly) hip-hop bangers, but hip-hop has changed so much since then. With Desperado, T.O.P brings his bonafides as an actor to an atmospheric slow-burn. His cavernous vocal is immediately recognizable and paired with an instrumental that echoes that deep, resounding tone. Ornamented with guitar, the production is sparse and understated. T.O.P counters this with a performance that grows wilder as the song goes on. I’m not a fan of the many vocal effects utilized here, but I enjoy how the structure feels a bit freewheeling and all over the place.

I can’t quite decide how I feel about Desperado‘s hook. It’s not a flashy melody, but its airy, laidback nature may play well in the long run. It’s — as the kids say — a “vibe.” I’m rarely in need of a vibe these days and prefer something I can really sink my teeth into, but the pure nostalgia of hearing T.O.P on a new track elevates Desperado a bit.

Grade: C+