The British entertainment magazine ‘TimeOut’ revealed its “2023 The 30 Best Albums,” a compilation of recommendations from their editors highlighting the standout albums of the year.
Kim Taehyung, aka V of BTS, stood out as the only K-pop artist on the prestigious list with his six-track debut EP, ‘Layover,’ securing the 19th position on the ’30 Best Albums of 2023′.
Taehyung joins the ranks of renowned Western artists, including Lana Del Rey, Olivia Rodrigo, Sam Smith, Troye Sivan, and notable singer-songwriters in the English-speaking music sphere like Raye and Cat Power.
‘TimeOut’ praised Taehyung’s husky baritone and jazz-leaning, R&B sound, singling out ‘Slow Dancing’ and ‘For Us’ as their favored tracks from ‘Layover.’
“Out of the seven members of Korean super band BTS, V was the last to release his solo music – the artist has admitted to binning several works-in-progress – but boy, was the wait worth it. His debut six-track EP lends his husky, sweet baritone to jazz-leaning R&B tunes with a clear nostalgic influence. Personal favourites? ‘Slow Dancing’, a soulful track that glides as beautifully as its eponymous activity; and ‘For Us’, with its intriguing key change midway through. If you like modern jazz singer Laufey, or even the neo soul legend Maxwell, no doubt you’ll enjoy V’s work too.”
— TimeOut
Check out Taehyung’s debut EP ‘Layover’ below.