A track-by-track review of j-hope’s new album ‘Hope On The Street Vol 1’

The internet is abuzz with j-hope’s newest album, Hope On The Street Vol 1, which also serves as the soundtrack to his recently launched documentary series, Hope On The Street.

In the premiere episode, j-hope revealed that the motivation behind creating this docu-series was his impending military enlistment. He wanted to take a retrospective look at his career and revisit its beginnings before embarking on his military service.

The main focus of the entire series is his passion for dance and choreography, which allowed him to expand his artistic horizons as his career progressed. The six tracks featured on Hope On The Street Vol 1 delve into his love for dance, with each song falling under the category of “Dance Number”.

The EP, titled “Hope On The Street Vol 1,”was released on March 29, 2024, through BIGHIT Music and is available on all DSPs (Digital Streaming Platforms). With a total runtime of nearly 20 minutes, the EP features Jungkook and production credits from Benny Blanco, Blake Slatkin, Cashmere Cat, and others.

The docu-series of the idol, which includes excerpts from his latest EP, interviews, and other content, can be streamed on Amazon Prime and consists of three episodes.

An in-depth analysis of j-hope’s latest EP ‘Hope On the Street Vol. 1’

The decision to release a project alongside a docu-series has sparked a strong show of support from both BTS fans and Hope’s own fandom, as he gears up for his military enlistment.

To get ready for the release of the album and Amazon series, j-hope made the decision to drop the lead single, titled On The Street, almost a year in advance on March 3, 2023. The track features a collaboration with J. Cole and was made available on all DSPs, accompanied by a music video.

The themes that were heavily touched upon in Hope On The Street Vol 1 were noted as follows:

• Hope
• Honesty
• Sincerity
• Love
• Happiness
• Acceptance
• Success
• Passion
• Relationships

The song “On the Street”(Solo Version) was playing.

The production credits for this project go to Pdogg.

Similarly to the lead single for this project, which was released in 2023, this version of the song does not include J. Cole’s verse. Instead, it features a full solo performance by the BTS member, with a new verse expressing his passion and longing for dance while contemplating his existence.

This track is the perfect introduction to an EP that is designed to be self-reflective and reminiscent, thanks to its super catchy and well-incorporated dance music production. Notable bars in the song include:

“What the hell is time? / I’m just walking all night, all night (Alright) / So just walk lightly, when we wanna / Wherever, when we wanna”

I am curious (Featuring Jung Kook)

The production credits for this project belong to Pdogg.

“The song “I Wonder”starts off with a cool, upbeat beat that adds to its incredibly catchy rhythm. Jung Kook’s smooth vocals are featured on the track, drawing listeners in to the deeper messages of sincerity, love, and unity that it conveys.”

The song seems to be intended for the BTS Army as both artists express gratitude for their unwavering support and promise to always be genuine and sincere towards their fans. Notable lyrics in this track include:

“This love, right now, it’s all we got, all we need / We’re happy right now, so why don’t we ride this feeling? / Just dance right now but don’t you stop lookin’ forward / Just enjoy it, this love, we can keep forever falling”

To secure or release something.

The production credits for this project include Benny Blanco, Cashmere Cat, Blake Slatkin, Nile Rodgers, and Pdogg.

A synth-driven intro sets the stage for lock/unlock, leading into another infectious funk-pop hit with credits to Benny Blanco and Nile Rodgers. The dance track blends together rapid-fire hi-hats, synths, and a mesmerizing electric guitar solo that highlights the song’s climax.

The song’s lyrics cleverly incorporate terms such as “Step,””Break,”and “Control,”which allude to the “dance”theme of the project. The track also features thought-provoking lines about love and acceptance, adding depth to the overall message.

“Take a breath / Now we see it all / We’re beyond special / ‘Cause we’re under control / Our way’s far off / Too long, too long, too long / So keep on like now / And move on, move on, move on”

I am unfamiliar with (Feat. Huh Yunjin)

(Production Credits: Pdogg)

Huh Yunjin of LE SSERAFIM begins with a French introduction emphasizing the significance of love in a partnership, followed by a back-and-forth exchange of verses between her and j-hope on the track.

With mastery, Yunjin and Hope effortlessly switch between English and Korean, creating a track where the mesmerizing lyrics seamlessly merge with an intoxicating instrumental. Some of the words in Yunjin’s verse are:

“Guess we’re on the edge, tryna figure out / What’s really on your mind / Don’t take it for granted / You believed that I would never leave your side”

What if… [Dance Remix] (Featuring JINBO)?

The production credits for this project go to Dem Jointz.

The initial track on this EP that strays from hope’s dreamy and energetic production style is the edgy Hip/Hop breakdance anthem What if… (Dance Remix). This song features intricate drum patterns, using a “Bell Sample”as a reference for its melodies.

The song’s lyricism showcases j-hope’s potential mindset, shaped by the realization that he lacked “Hope,””Passion,””Vision,””Money,”and “Dream.”JINBO contributes to the song with a gentle vocal performance on the bridge, conveying the following message:

“But the truth is I could see those visions in my sky / I could find a hand that always held me through this ride / Progression was something I was hoping for”

The song “NEURON”features Gaeko and Yoonmirae.

The production credits for this project go to Pdogg.

NEURON is the concluding track on Hope On The Street Vol 1, bringing the EP to a close with a nostalgic nod to 90s Hip/Hop. The song’s upbeat and motivational lyrics serve as a reminder to persevere and never give up.

Additionally, j-hope enlisted the help of two legendary guest artists, Gaeko from Dynamic Duo and Yoonmirae from MFBTY. These artists were chosen as they played a significant role in inspiring j-hope’s artistic development and career.

One notable moment from this track is when j-hope references his former dance group “Neuron”and gives them a shout out in the following lines:

“N-E-U-R-O-N, attention / N-E-W-R-U-N, ain’t enough / Neuron, it responds to my mind / Neuron, it responds to my life”

In 2022, j-hope debuted as a solo artist with his studio album Jack In The Box, receiving widespread praise for its unique and artistic approach. Through Hope On The Street Vol. 1, the member of BTS successfully connects with his fans and audience on a more personal level, evoking deeper emotions.

This EP, in addition to the docu-series, illuminates his initial experience on “World of Dance”which ultimately led him to move from Gwangju to Seoul and sign with Big Hit Records, paving the way for him to become one of the founding members of the internationally acclaimed boy band, BTS.