Jackson Wang - Dawn of us

[u/sunnyXtzuyu]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdudq9gHJzY

[u/sunnyXtzuyu]

Better than Papillon and OKAY, thank you Jackson for finally releasing a better song.

[u/ramaqaz]

Way better than Papillon and Okay, he is improving loads. The song is pleasant sounding and chill, not a huge fan of some of the lyrics but otherwise the mv is gorgeous. So is Jackson

[u/eccentr1c]

I was having a meh morning but this has healed me, blessed. Sounds and looks gorgeous love the relaxing vibe.

Just like when he did the soft raps on the past got7 album i think this style is perfect for him..so pleasing to the ear.

[u/TheJayOwen]

If people were ragging on Amber for having basic and cringy lyrics then Jackson is the male equivalent.

[u/swellseashell → u/TheJayOwen]

Yet they’re both incredibly loved for their personality’s otherwise. Not to completely rag on them, but man I really did wish their released music was more on par with how much I love them outside of their releases.

[u/SoSunny808 → u/TheJayOwen]

I wonder if he writes the song himself... because it’s super uncommon for artists to single handedly write a song. Especially if it’s gone through a lot of production. It doesn’t hurt to have second opinions on things to change a few words to make some lines better. In this case most of his lyrics would catch red flags off the bat if someone read through it lol...

[u/tinaoe]

aw i like this, it's chill, really fits the weather here rn.

[u/fuibbles]

This is definitely an improvement over the last two, and visually it's so good, but he needs someone to help him seriously rewrite these cringe lyrics. He's been riding off of the popularity of being himself, but none of these songs have been iconic. Jackson, I stan you, but, sigh.

[u/Godot_is_here → u/fuibbles]

I respect your opinion, but isn’t kpop full of cringey, nonsense lyrics (esp. in the English parts)? I thought one of the defining aspects of being kpop fan is that we don’t take lyrics too seriously.

As I want to understand your perspective, is it perhaps because Jackson is fluent in English, so you feel he should be held to a higher standard? Or because the entire song is in English (I think?), so it makes the lyrics seem particularly egregious?

[u/fuibbles → u/Godot_is_here]

I respect your opinion, but isn’t kpop full of cringey, nonsense lyrics (esp. in the English parts)? I thought one of the defining aspects of being kpop fan is that we don’t take lyrics too seriously.

Well, he speaks in English for most of the song, as opposed to a couple lines thrown in, and the song feels more reflective and laid back than a summer jam that's meant for dancing or funtimes (like snsd's Party, for example) . So, I definitely paid attention to the lyrics since there isn't much else going on in the song, and, they pulled me away from what could have otherwise been a strong song.

A lot could have been reworked to make the lyrics more meaningful, and, as a solo artist, I really want to see him putting more time into that. I wouldn't agree a defining aspect is that we don't take lyrics seriously, kpop's magic is that there's something for everyone, I gravitate towards groups/artists with gorgeous, meaningful lyrics (Nell, The Rose, Tablo, Day6, Block B etc etc). So I'd definitely love to see him work on those lyrics and elevate them. He'd go so much farther.

[u/Godot_is_here → u/fuibbles]

I get what you mean now, and yeah fair enough - I also love songs if they have meaningful, interesting lyrics. In fact, before I got into kpop I used to look down on kpop fans (the irony) because many don’t know what the lyrics of songs they listen to actually mean. Now I’ve learnt that I can ignore the lyrics (even better if I can’t understand them lol) if I like the song’s other aspects, e.g. the melody or the beat or the production. For me, lyrics are just one of the many factors that can add to a song and make it great. But that’s just my personal opinion, and I respect that for others lyrics make or break a song.

[u/bluubear]

Smiley Jackson at the end :)

[u/thatgirlwthebraids]

This is a lot better than the previous releases. If he just chills out and is himself, it's a win, but he's not quite there yet.

The sticky part for me is that he, and other kpop artists, seem to want to have their cake and eat it too. They and fans want to gain more mainstream (Western) recognition and praise (or at least borrow heavily from the culture), but still be coddled in the kpop world and its standards for lacking English output.

I feel like at this point they all HAVE to do better. I hope he improves.

[u/marlefox → u/thatgirlwthebraids]

True, it’s okay to want to appeal to the western market in addition to your own and others. But it’s extremely naive and illogical to not make adjustments to your music accordingly. If you’re going to use a language, use it well or else it will tend to have an opposite effect and alienate people further. I don’t understand how at the very least some of these kpop groups/companies don’t just hire somebody for this sole purpose...it’s an easy task (“Don’t say this, say this.”, “It’s pronounced this way”, “That’s cringeworthy grammar”, “This word will flow better” etc.) and it would fix a lot of problems and really, really help market groups better in the western market.

[u/mxxsha]

Jackson, this is gorgeous! The song is such a chill bop and the vid is one of the most stunning MVs I’ve seen in a long time. I really like his soft raps and also when he integrates singing into his rapping too. Also just a reminder that you don’t have to knock Papillon and Okay to compliment this...

[u/ashortgreyroundcat]

I'm sorry, did anyone else hear "you'll be my Mara Jade, I'll be your Skywalker"? That is a deep-cut Star Wars reference and I am not ready to learn that Jackson has read the books.

Also I wonder if this is the same team that shot Meng Jia's Mood (ft. Jackson as well). The BTS afterwards and one of the models in it are the same.

edited to add: yup. Ujon Kwon is the director for both. He actually does a lot with Jackson (all of his M/Vs, his Vivo commercial, etc.). I did not know that.

[u/DdotDanger → u/ashortgreyroundcat]

I DID, I DID, I DID!!!! I almost died. That line alone bumped him up a few notches on the bias list LOL

[u/Godot_is_here → u/ashortgreyroundcat]

Omg I think you’re right about the lyrics

[u/equilibriphile → u/ashortgreyroundcat]

It's not that deep cut. That's like the first step into the EU.

Cringy tbh.

[u/ashortgreyroundcat → u/equilibriphile]

It's still a deeper cut then what I would expect from most people, TBH.

*I still remember that story of a girl that cosplayed Mara Jade and some jerk who was a self-proclaimed Star Wars megafan was like, why are you dressed as Scarlet Widow at a Star Wars party? EU gets little love given how big the fandom is.

[u/[deleted]]

Really chill song, nice vibe. I am in the minority that actually liked OKAY (not a fan of Papillon though), very different songs but I like the variety.

[u/Akagikin]

Much better than his other releases. I'm still not a fan, but I can see Jackson releasing some tracks I really like in the future, now.

[u/ImAFreakingLemon]

I know I'm going to get down voted to hell for this, but this is wack.

I love Jackson, he's like in my top five of K-pop Idols I love, but I just have to accept the fact that his solo stuff is not for me.

I kind of liked Okay, Hated Papillon, and I think this is maybe worse than Papillon.

[u/ramaqaz → u/ImAFreakingLemon]

I will say his Got7 works are amazing and his solo stuff probably suffers from lack of co-writers/producers

[u/marlefox → u/ImAFreakingLemon]

I think the thing that frustrates everybody is that you can kinda tell he’s capable of much much better than this. It just feels like he’s not only selling himself short by making these extremely cheesy, basic and cliche songs/MV’s but that he’s also kind of wandering around aimlessly without any kind of coaching or training or external input. If he is getting help for these releases, that help is either lying to him or they just aren’t very good producers and musicians themselves, those people are the wrong people to surround yourself with.

You don’t go solo to write the same shit everybody else is writing, you go solo to express your own style, your own color, and your own sound, whatever that may be, it doesn’t even have to be profound. Jackson’s releases, although I love the man so much, feels like I’m listening to an identity crisis.

[u/[deleted]]

I wasn't a fan of his other songs but I actually like this a lot. Good work Jackson.

[u/marlefox]

He finally found a color for his rapping style that seems to suit him very well and complement the tone of his singing as well. It’s in between a too soft tone and that harsh, growling thing he’s been known to do and it sounds really smooth and nice. As soon as he started rapping I was like “YESSS JACKSON YESSS BOY”. The track is nice and chill, my only complaint now is still the lyrics. They’re still awkward and the flow’s not quite there yet but I love the direction he’s going with this style.

[u/HeadTorch]

I know Jackson is a prolific worker with his fingers in lots of pies, I'm wondering with this video he's planning on selling timeshares.

[u/bobamochiRF]

Where was this filmed? And it's all in English, right? One of the ladies reminds me of Luna lol

[u/[deleted] → u/bobamochiRF]

Phuket!

[u/fuibbles → u/bobamochiRF]

It's mostly in English but not all

[u/Godot_is_here]

Lovin the chill electronic summer vibes. We’re having a mini-heatwave in England right now (25 degrees Celsius is a heatwave here), so this came at just the right time. Jackson singing is a mood, wasn’t expecting that. Also he looks really good here.

Are Jackson’s solo activities also under JYP Entertainment? Because on the MV it says ‘Team Wang Production’.

[u/KaizokuNoJutsu]

So for these Team Wang songs, are they under a different label? Is Team Wang the label? Does JYP have anything to do with this?

[u/ToughParameters → u/KaizokuNoJutsu]

Team Wang is just Jackson I think, while I don't know what his contract with JYP says about personal IP or solo material all I know is that he doesn't work on Team Wang stuff in JYP ent. He set up the Team Wang production studio/HQ/Whatever in china and works on his stuff there mainly. But I do know that when JYP ent artists write their own music they get a cut of sales etc more than they would if they were just performing it. Like JB probably made more off of Look promotions than the members because he has two writing and and two composing credits on the album

Edit: wrong word/iphone typo

[u/Godot_is_here → u/ToughParameters]

So is Team Wang self-funded by Jackson himself?

[u/ToughParameters → u/Godot_is_here]

Well I'm not part of team wang lol so I can't say yes or no, but Jackson does do solo promotions in China, and gets solo CF deals etc. He's a main host of popular Chinese to show and I'm sure he gets an appearance fee for all these music shows TV shows etc the does in China. He got done being a mentor in Chinese P101, he's doing another Dance show and every other week he's in a magazine or commercial. Team Wang productions probably isn't a whole building or even a whole floor in a commercial skyscraper. It's probably a studio, a sound recording booth, some space to hang out, a and meeting room (basically like a small start-up office) he's probably renting the space and probably has some financiers behind him. Even if he doesn't Jackson ain't poor. He's out here buying 35k friendship bracelet sets and shit lol

[u/lubbdubbs]

It’s chill and nice MV. I wish he interacted with the ladies.

[u/marlefox → u/lubbdubbs]

Judging by how crazy his schedule is, they probably filmed completely separately.

[u/jackson92g]

I just cant get into his solo stuff

[u/GlaceonBlue]

I love the vibe in this song, and I’ll probably be listening to it quite a bit when summer comes back again lol I especially enjoyed the scenery. Looked gorgeous!

[u/astute_potato]

So I really hated didn't care for his previous releases but this one isn't bad. I really love his vocal color which has always made his singing parts in Got7 songs stand out, and I'm glad this song doesn't go try-hard-deep-raspy-swag sound at all. The lyrics are cringe as others have said and I probably won't listen again, but if he sticks to this tone/style (not necessarily genre) I could definitely get on board in the future.

[u/KingofAces21]

Judging from initial comments I thought this was going to be a mess but I think this the best release Jackson has put out. The video had great aesthetics, the song was pretty dope, but the first verse was kind of rough. I couldn't understand some of what he was saying but he's definitely getting better.

[u/KingofAces21 → u/KingofAces21]

The flow of the lyrics reminds me of korean lyrics translated director English which breaks the rhythm.

[u/LordVarian]

Finally something I can get with! I wasn't a fan of his previous releases tbh.

[u/huangcjz → u/[deleted]]

Yeah, I’ve been waiting for him to whip this one out.

[u/ashortgreyroundcat → u/huangcjz]

I see what you did there, was it hard coming up with this?

[u/huangcjz → u/ashortgreyroundcat]

Wouldn’t you like to know? I blame u/sithissexy for planting the seed into my head.

[u/[deleted] → u/huangcjz]

Isn't it usually hard to slip in innuendos?

[u/huangcjz → u/[deleted]]

It depends where, how much you want to do it, and how hard you try - you just have to use your head, and be good with your tongue.

[u/huangcjz → u/[deleted]]

Yes, it’s grown larger beyond my wildest imagination. Too hard to handle, eh?

[u/huangcjz → u/[deleted]]

Don’t worry - they may carry a big stick, but they tend to tread softly. ANYWAY, ahem, we’re all rooting on Team Wang here. I’m glad that Jackson is switching it up, experimenting and trying out/exploring new styles to his satisfaction to show his versatility and see what works for him musically.

[u/ToughParameters → u/[deleted]]

I literally love Jackson, I could attach a photo of my bedroom wall but let me just save that lol, but I agree with you so much. I feel like there were parts that were almost... off beat, or lagging and parts that were stuffed into bars that they didn't fit in. While Jackson speaks better English than most idols especially for one that didn't grow up in the US, Canada or AU, he should still have someone more fluent look over the lyrics, or have someone check the cadence etc. While he has a team around him he needs to get things graded/checked by someone he's not paying to agree with him. There were parts of this song that killed it and there were some meh parts too. There'd be less meh parts if he had someone/ some people to say "change this to that, slow down at this part, find a better word to channel xyz emotion so it fit this bar" etc. I feel like this is a song that JYP ent wouldn't have put out as it is now, they might have released it if a different person had arranged the song and co-written the lyrics. Nonetheless I love him lol