Song Review: J-Hope (BTS) – Sweet Dreams (ft. Miguel)

We’re slowly moving out of BTS’s enlistment era and into their post-enlistment work as members return from the military with solo projects. First up was Jin late last year and now J-Hope is here with Sweet Dreams, a collaboration with soulful crooner Miguel. This follows a guest stint on Don Toliver’s LV Bag last month and sees him dipping a toe in the water with a subdued sound.

As its title suggests, Sweet Dreams is a syrupy confection. It forgoes ambition for a light touch, bopping along as weightless as air. Miguel’s hook extends through a large portion of the track, leaving J-Hope to echo those soaring vocals with a grittier (and less melodically interesting) refrain. The verses are largely sung as well, delivered with a hazy ease that acts as a musical balm. Balms are by their very nature healing, but this song is plain old ChapStick rather than the fun flavored stuff. It’ll get the job done but isn’t exactly exciting.

This pleasant indistinctness extends to the instrumental, which opts for a hushed — almost lo-fi — R&B groove. Percussion keeps the song going yet plays second fiddle to the airy backing vocals and general sense of “vibe.” This makes Sweet Dreams a great choice to soundtrack a lazy Sunday morning or a leisurely early-spring walk. However, I prefer a bit more pep in my step so I’ll wait until J-Hope returns with something more inspired.

Grade: C