Released at the end of October 2022, “The Astronaut” is a heartwarming pop-rock track co-written by Jin and Coldplay. The song contains an uplifting and loving message written from the heart of our moon, Jin, to us— his Earth. Showcasing elements of both Jin/BTS and Coldplay, this is a piece of music that has already cemented itself in the fondest of ARMY’s memories. Jin gave us the song as a kind of “see you later,” a wholesome piece of his love for us to carry into this next chapter as he starts the process of military enlistment. In “The Astronaut,” the narrator finds his own heaven, his own home and universe, made up of the people that love him.
This track starts with an immediately captivating instrumental line, consisting of a guitar and a repeating motif that makes the baseline of the composition. The catchy opening “doo-do-doo-do doo-do-doo-do” is heard throughout the song. (I know you sang it in your head when you read that). The instrumentals feel like outer space, almost like satellite signals and stars blinking. The reverberation and warm yet light tone that builds upon itself into a larger-than-life wash of sound are characteristic of both Coldplay’s signature sound and Jin’s moving ballad-style solo tracks. The beat is hopeful and driving, like running into the arms of your safe place. The instrumental writing very effectively utilizes the swelling, layering, and phasing in and out of sound in order to build up the emotion of the vocals. Everything is placed in such an emotionally impactful way. The entrance of the percussive line after Jin’s warm voice introduces the story and there is a drop in dynamics right before building back up into the first line of the chorus, along with pauses in the percussive line when the feelings are building. This is topped with Chris Martin’s echoing background vocals being heard in the most affecting moments.
Jin’s vocals are resonant and comforting on this track. His lower and middle register shine so brightly here. His tone is warm and dreamlike and feels both honest and tender. There is a sense of someone showing you the big, big feelings they hold in their heart for you, while at the same time holding you and making you feel comforted. Jin’s voice is pleasant in a way that feels like a cup of warm tea or a softly glowing moon at dusk.
The lyrics of “The Astronaut” are sweet, sentimental, and full of hope. They are not sentimental in a sad way, but in the way that the sentiments are still being held and created now. Jin talks about finding his own lights in the darkness, his own heaven, and the universe. Our story is unending. Our love and gratitude for one another is something almost indescribable. And if saying “there is no one else” and “I get heaven to myself” doesn’t quite cover all of the emotions that are swirling within this track, Jin leaves us, with a clear and resonating declaration of “I love you” at the song’s climax.
Calling someone your home or your own heaven might be even more meaningful than just saying “I love you.” But the specific expression of love, of making sure that this is known and heard, is one of the most important exchanges two hearts can make. “The Astronaut” is both. We are a home and we are loved. Just like BTS feels like home for many of us, Jin finds the definition of home in this song in the love we show for him and BTS. We can take on this next adventure because we know we will always have a warm place to safely land our ship.
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Written By: Sav
Edited By: Esma
Checked By: Juju
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