Best Albums of the Year (2023) Accolades for BTS

UPROXX lists Jungkook's Golden in its Best Albums of 2023.

BTS’ Jung Kook has shown himself to be a pop sensation both within the group and as a solo act. His debut solo album, Golden, served as a gift to fans, as it arrived weeks before Jung Kook began the process of enlisting in the Korean military. He’ll be away until 2025, but songs like the romantic “Standing Next To You,” the sexy, rhythmic “3D,” and the gut-wrenching ballad “Hate You” will certainly hold as timeless classics. But they also set the stage for him to continue his world takeover upon his return.

Consequence.net ranks D-Day as #27 in its 50 Best Albums of 2023.

"The third and (potentially) final outing from SUGA of BTS under his alter-ego moniker of Agust D is some of his finest work yet as a soloist. D-DAY is an exercise in forgiveness from the rapper, who embraces the natural progression from the fury of his self-titled debut project and melancholic reflection of sophomore record D-2 to ultimately arrive at a place of healing. The ethos of D-DAY is not that this journey is an easy one, but that the messy work of cultivating inner peace is ultimately worth it — and by the end of the record, the listener can’t help but believe SUGA when he says that the future’s gonna be okay. "

Popcrush lists D-Day, FACE and Golden in its Best Pop Albums list of 2023 (in alphabetical order).

D-Day, Agust D
To many, Agust D is best known as Suga — the pensive and producing powerhouse of BTS who doesn't necessarily like to dance. However, he shows ARMY and just about everyone else that he can do so much more than craft a catchy pop song with D-Day, an amalgamation of his growth as an artist, songwriter and producer that captures his journey into adulthood. While two previous mixtapes, Agust D and D-2, expressed his insecurities, Agust D shares his thoughts about life and views on the world on D-Day. "Haegeum" digs deep into society's need to consume endless digital media, while the artist processes trauma and moves past it in "Amygdala." Though rooted in hip-hop, Agust D shows his sonic range and musical genius by bringing on late composer Ryuichi Sakamoto on the hypnotizing, yet soothing track, "Snooze." Whether you know him as Suga, Agust D or Yoon-gi, this young artist is a musical renaissance man, and D-Day is his opus — at least, for now.

Face, Jimin
BTS’ Jimin’s first solo album opens with the distinctive sound of circus horns. It’s fittingly reminiscent of the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, considering Jimin is a member of another culture-shifting, globally conquering music group. What follows on FACE is an alluring look into the inner world of a pop icon known for his silky singing voice and graceful — and often sensual — dancing. The album takes twists and turns that somehow work well together, including pieces of Jimin’s world such as a crowd of ARMYs cheering, as well as audio of himself running. On the glittery, ‘80s-esque synth-pop single “Like Crazy,” he takes inspiration from the 2011 romance movie of the same title, which he told Rolling Stone expresses “exactly what he wanted to say.” Meanwhile, the sonically experimental pre-release track “Set Me Free Pt.2” showcases a Jimin whose solo artistry takes center stage as he details his journey from K-pop trainee to global superstar, and all that comes with the spotlight.

Golden, Jungkook
Known for his smooth vocals and charming stage presence, the youngest member of BTS has cemented his status as a 2020s pop icon in the absence of a major male music star. With Justin Bieber in his healing era and Harry Styles on a break after his extensive world tour, Jungkook is here to take over with his glossy, retro-infused pop debut. He brings ‘00s Jesse McCartney energy as he croons to a crush on standout track “Yes or No,” while single “Standing Next to You” is a funky disco-tinged jam that sees JK effortlessly perform Michael Jackson-esque choreography via its sultry music video. His vocal versatility is made apparent throughout the album as he sails through notes high and low; and delivers both bangers and ballads, such as tender album closer “Shot Glass of Tears” and “Hate You,” which was co-written by fellow pop singer Shawn Mendes. Jungkook most definitely puts the “golden” in his “Golden Maknae” nickname.

Timeout.com (UK) ranks V's Layover album as #19 in The 30 Best Albums of the Year (2023).

"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."

Paste Magazine includes Jimin's FACE (#16), Jungkook's Golden (#9) and Agust D's D-Day (#7) in its 20 Best K-pop Albums of 2023.

Jimin: "Following in the footsteps of fellow BTS bandmates RM and J-Hope, Jimin has crafted his most personal music yet with FACE, an EP that is anything but surface level. On songs like “Face-off”—an ethereal RnB opener—and “Set Me Free Pt.2″—an abrasively grandiose yet divisive hip-hop track—Jimin mines angst and self-torment to great effect. Throw in audio snippets from life on and off stage, plus a surprise cameo from Jennifer Lawrence, of all people, and you’ve got yourself one of the year’s most exciting and endlessly creative solo efforts."

Jungkook: "While some of his bandmates went off to complete military service, the youngest member of BTS released his first English-language album in a bid for global pop stardom. Without any writing or production credits to call his own on GOLDEN, Jungkook adopts a chameleonic approach that sees him shifting between styles and genres alongside Western collaborators including Latto, Jack Harlow and Major Lazer, as well as songwriting credits from Ed Sheeran and Shawn Mendes. The result is an infectious, singles-driven collection of undeniable bops we’ve been listening to seven days a week, which proves Jungkook has the Midas touch on anything he sets his mind to. With clear influences from the likes of Justin Timberlake, Usher and Justin Bieber, Jungkook is clearly vying for that pop king crown—and if Golden is anything to go by, the throne could very well be his."

Suga: "The third release from Agust D—aka Suga—completes his solo trilogy with more fiery commentary on societal norms, yet there’s also room for more personal contemplation this time round as well. “Amyygdala” hits as hard as Agust’s flow with a heart-wrenching look back at past traumas yet the album’s true centerpiece is “Snooze”, a collaboration with The Rose’s WOOSUNG and late Japanese composer, Ryuichi Sakamoto, whose haunting melody accompanies Agust’s most vulnerable music yet. That alone would earn D-Day a spot on the list, but this is an extremely accomplished body of work regardless, one which cements Agust D as one of the greatest Korean rappers of his generation."

L'Eclaireur FNAC France lists Agust D's D-Day as one of the best K-pop albums of 2023.

Agust D- D Day
Jeanne's favorite
Seven years after his first project Agust D and three years after D-2 , the rapper Agust D (better known under the stage name Suga within the group BTS) came in 2023 to put the end to his trilogy with D-Day . If Agust D was an album about the past, returning in particular to the difficulties of its performer with anxiety and depression at the start of his career, D-2 was that of the present, that of international success and pressure that this implies. D-Day is certainly that of the future, a brighter and freer future. The rapper sets the tone from the first song of the album by singing “future's gonna be okay, look at the mirror and I see no pain ” pain ).

Without necessarily being a joyful album, retaining the harshness to which Agust D has accustomed us throughout his solo career, D-Day is an album which sings of hope and healing, the perfect conclusion to a seven-year cycle where Agust D will not have hesitated to share with those who listen to him the ups and downs of his career. Between societal criticism in Haegeum , personal traumas in Amygdala or advice to young artists in Snooze , Agust D shows the range of subjects on which he is capable of writing and rapping, proving once again that he is a complete artist, having produced in less than a decade a work of great richness.

This album confirms its performer's ability to rap on any instrument, as well as his talent as a lyricist, ready to demonstrate an authenticity and vulnerability rare for an artist of this caliber. It was followed by a sold-out tour in Asia and the United States, retracing the career of Agust D, as if to properly celebrate the end of a cycle. Just before a year and a half of military service, the rapper offers us with D-Day a work that we will certainly not stop listening to and dissecting during his absence!

NPR listeners rank Agust D's D-Day #14 out of 50 albums in the Favorite Albums of 2023 list.

NME lists Agust D's D-Day as #38 in its Best Albums of the Year 2023.

“Future’s gonna be OK,” Agust D – aka BTS rapper Suga – declared in the opening line of ‘D-Day’. The fiery album wrapped up his trilogy of solo releases with more sharp, thought-provoking societal observations and reflections on his own life, but with room for a new sense of peace, acceptance and hope. That it was all set to hard-hitting hip-hop and featured starry collabs with BTS’ J-Hope, late Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto and more only made ‘D-Day’ more spectacular.

The Honey POP lists Jimin's FACE, Agust D's D-Day, and V's Layover in its Top 50 Albums of 2023.

Jimin, FACE
We all know that the BTS members have killed it with their solo releases this year, but let’s go back to the beginning with the first solo album we got in 2023 – Jimin’s FACE. Jimin has long been an artist who explored ideas of identity in his performances and across BTS songs like ‘Serendipity,’ so it was no surprise to see this exploration expand into his solo endeavors. Despite its short runtime, FACE packs a punch with intense declarations of freedom like ‘Set Me Free Pt.2’ and the escapism anthem ‘Like Crazy.’ We aren’t the only ones who love FACE either; ‘Like Crazy’ hit Billboard Hot 100 number one, and the album sold over a million copies on Hanteo in its first day, making Jimin the first solo artist to hit this milestone.

Agust D, D-Day
D-Day is a special album for BTS’s SUGA, as it marks both his debut studio album as well as the last installment in the Agust D trilogy. D-DAY is here and marks freedom and liberation for the rapper and producer as he finds himself being released from the shackles of his pain and suffering, making peace, and moving on from the past. Title track ‘Haegeum’ refers to both the traditional string instrument and the Korean word for “liberation” and raps about escaping “nonsense” from both online and in person, discovering a new sense of freedom. Meanwhile, fan favorite ‘Amygdala’ sees him relive the most painful moments in his life as he reveals his belief that trauma led him to become a stronger person today. A truly phenomenal album and a bittersweet farewell for Agust D… at least for now.

V, Layover
We think it’s probably fair to say that BTS’ V was one of the most anticipated solo albums this year. Even if you’re not ARMY (First of all, what are you doing?), you’re probably familiar with his distinctive, crooning vocals. V, AKA Taehyung, has eclectic tastes, so we had absolutely no idea what direction Layover would take, which is exactly why we were so eager for it! In just five (and a half?) songs, Taehyung introduces us to a kaleidoscope of soft jazz, Mediterranean sunsets, and, of course, ‘Rainy Days.’ Artists often say their albums feel like a window into their soul, and Layover is exactly that. With a music video for every song, Taehyung completely immerses the listener in his world, and ”Don’t tell me it’s over, we can start it over” is us the second that Layover finishes.

Genius Korea ranks RM's Indigo as #1, and Agust D's D-Day as #5, in their (25) Best K-pop Albums of 2023 list.

RM, Indigo

With a blend of different genres, a roster of eclectic artists, and masterful penmanship, RM created the poignant Indigo, an intimate yet universal composition of his twenties. While lyrics can be interpreted in multiple ways, RM’s storytelling prowess is the core of the album as he allows himself and helps listeners navigate through the depths of emotion and human experience. With songs like “Lonely” and “건망증 (Forg_tful),” RM captures introspection and the complexities of isolation in adulthood, which are more often than not too complicated for us to unpack by ourselves.

Certain albums deserve to be listened to the way they are presented by the artist and don’t necessarily boast singles, and Indigo is one of them. Not only is each song a lyrical journey in and of itself, but they come together to weave a story that leaves a lasting impression on listeners' minds and hearts. With songs like the Anderson .Paak assisted “Still Life”, “All Day” with Tablo, and “No.2” featuring Park Ji Yoon, Indigo provides listeners with solace, inspiration, and a moment to reflect and move forward with more determination. The album grapples with nostalgia of our younger years, our aspirations, and the inevitable challenges that come with growing up and maturing. Even though the album explores themes of uncertainty and doubt, the project itself always maintains a cohesive identity, which is all thanks to RM himself. A lyrical masterpiece, Indigo offers both reflective and ambitious perspectives, making it the best album of the year.

Agust D, D-Day

D-DAY, Agust D’s third studio album, delivers on its grand finale status. As the last installment in the three-part trilogy of albums that included D-2 and Agust-D, D-DAY is a flavor-thick blend of smoking guns and thorny roses. Aggressive compositions like the title track “해금 (Haegeum),” a track about the toxicity of living in a polarized society, contrast with more reflective tracks such as “사람 (People) Pt.2” ft. IU), and the absolute golden goose of the album itself, “Snooze” ft. 坂本龍一 (Ryuichi Sakamoto) & WOOSUNG. Evidently, more mature than 2016 Agust D and another step in self-acceptance and maturity compared to 2020 Agust D, D-DAY acts as the older brother to his younger self, providing insight that only someone standing on the other side of hardship can have realized.

Billboard lists V's Layover at #2, and Agust D's D-Day at #8, on its (25) Best K-pop Albums of 2023.

V, Layover

Incorporating V’s ingrained love of jazz music (he played saxophone in his childhood), Layover is a considerable departure from any BTS album, presenting the star in a realm all his own. An old soul, V’s first solo record unfolds as a lo-fi soul, jazz, and R&B journey where singles like “Love Me Again” and “Slow Dancing” bring a blend of romantic melancholy, with the commitment to V’s musical vision evident in decisions like an unconventional but lovely flute solo in the latter. At less than 20 minutes, Layover is a succinct, yet immersive, listening experience, becoming progressively smoother and sweeter throughout until it culminates in the falsetto-led finale “For Us” and a piano-based alternative version of “Slow Dancing.”

Teaming up with ADOR CEO and NewJeans’ mastermind Min Hee Jin, each track is complemented by its own music video to immerse fans in V’s world, with each visual awash in vintage filters to recall past decades. With a slew of live Tiny Desk Korea and band session performances that deepen the connection and help bring his vision to life, Layover lays the foundation for what promises to be a fascinating solo career for the BTS member.

Agust D, D-Day

Introduced by an eye-opening Disney+ documentary and brought to life through a world tour, D-Day emerged as a poignant, intimate glimpse into Suga’s captivating mind. In the third project under his Agust D moniker, Suga delves into his most personal reflections on record, exploring loneliness, freedom and letting go of the past. Beyond the lyricism revealing Suga’s innermost thoughts, the emotional weight of discussing his health and family in the standout track “Amygdala” are heightened by deft production decisions like Suga’s singing and use of Auto-Tune. D-Day also pays tribute to one of Suga’s personal musical heroes, as the gorgeous and haunting “Snooze” features legendary Japanese composer and producer Ryuichi Sakamoto, as well WOOSUNG of The Rose. Tragically, Sakamoto passed away less than a month before the album’s release, infusing D-Day with a sense of legacy and cross-generational continuity.