NO LABELS : PART 01 Album Review

Yeonjun, a member of one of my favorite bands, Tomorrow X Together, released his first solo album last Friday called NO LABELS : PART 01. The six track masterpiece tells a story of individualism and self-discovery through refreshing new music and his palpable rockstar energy. I highly recommend giving the album a listen!

NO LABELS is accompanied by a six minute music video that includes three songs: Coma, Let Me Tell You and Talk to You. All three tracks have their own unique style and storyline, which is fused together through stellar acting and explosive choreography. Yeonjun's dynamic talent as an artist jumps out on screen, setting his work apart from other K-Pop releases this year.

Both the album and music video artistically capture early 2000s MTV nostalgia through lyrical and visual storytelling. The video itself has a vintage square frame and a retro filter. Yeonjun dresses in a variety of outfits including fur jackets and monochromatic streetwear, pairing well with compelling lyrics like “You want me / I can see it don’t lie.” The album is an intense blend of Yeonjun's personal aesthetic and new sides of him, making it an impeccable solo debut.

Photo: Yeonjun of Tomorrow X Together

Talk to You

The opening track of the album sets the tone with heavy rock instrumentals and a strong presence, both in the song itself and its accompanying video. Yeonjun embraces the rockstar mentality, colorful and bold like his previous single GGUM. The lyrics feed into the aesthetic, emphasizing the electric tension between two people with catchy lines and detailed verses. "Talk to You" is already a regular in my playlists, and I'm obsessed with the blend of modern rock influences and Yeonjun's personal style.

Photo: Yeonjun (NO LABELS music video)

Forever

This song slips into a softer, hip-hop sound that's new for Yeonjun. The lyrics detail taking your time in a relationship, with lines like "And time is runnin', you know better than to rush" and "Tried to tell you I'm not ready yet to go." I really liked the contrast between Yeonjun's vocals in the last track and this one, as it really showcases his musical range as an artist. Though this track wasn't featured in the music video, it definitely stands out as a meaningful and mellow song.

Photo: Yeonjun and Daniela (NO LABELS music video)

Let Me Tell You (feat. Daniela of KATSEYE)

This collaboration was the most attention grabbing song on the album and stands out as a perfect fusion of Yeonjun's smooth vocals and Daniela's talent as a singer and dancer. I loved the mix of languages (English, Spanish, and Korean) and how it seamlessly blends together throughout the melody and lyrics.

The choreography in the music video pairs super well with the sultry RnB sound. I really loved the dynamic storytelling through the verses and choreography, as it really brought the collaboration to life. If you decide to listen to any track on the album, it should definitely be this one!

Do It

"Do It" solidifies the album's theme of individualism with funky new beats and retro vibes. The assertive and catchy lyrics set it apart from softer songs like Forever, showing new layers to Yeonjun's bold personality and style. The production and vocals mesh well with his rapping, making it a great midpoint of the album.

Nothin' 'Bout Me

This track links well with the opener "Talk to You," bringing back the heavy instrumentals and intense lyricism. Yeonjun exudes confidence through his repetition of "Nothin' Bout Me" to emphasize his journey of artistic independence. "Nothin' 'Bout Me" really shows how he's putting himself out there in a new way.

Photo: Yeonjun for NO LABELS

Coma

The closing track finishes off NO LABELS on a groovy, sweet note. It's paired with complex choreography and an urban background, where Yeonjun sings and raps in fashionable, monotone streetwear accompanied by tons of background dancers. I think the orientation of the music video is really interesting, with the last track appearing first and the opening track appearing last. It pushes the album's dynamic mix of genres and styles as orderless, making each track feel individual yet cohesive with the overarching theme.

This release of NO LABELS is only the beginning, and I'm thrilled to see how Yeonjun extends it in the next part. The themes of self discovery through trying new things connects with all audiences, and is brought together both musically and visually throughout the album and music video. Overall, every aspect of the album, from the choreography and styling to the production quality and lyricism, felt incredibly intentional and caters to the message. It's a crime that this EP is only fifteen minutes long, but this is only the first part of Yeonjun's journey as a solo artist. It'll be interesting to see how the album and concept of NO LABELS evolves in the second part!