Even after rising to global stardom as a member of BTS, j-hope’s core identity continues to revolve around street dance. The artist’s latest album, HOPE ON THE STREET VOL.1, stands as a testament to his unwavering connection with the world of dance. The release is billed as a “special album,” and the format couldn’t be a more perfect choice. The album includes both new songs and new versions of old favorites, like j-hope’s solo version of “on the street”—originally a collaboration with J. Cole—and a remix of “what if…” For anyone into new versions and remixes of previously released songs as much as brand-new tracks, this album features the perfect tracklist.

The first song listeners are likely to notice is “NEURON,” with ultra-talented Korean hip hop artists Gaeko and yoonmirae adding a tantalizing layer of rap. j-hope opens the track with raspy rapping to pull the listener in straight away, with Gaeko punctuating the song with his masterfully sharp, dense flow as always and yoonmirae wrapping things up neatly with a euphoric rap. The title “NEURON” is a triple play on words, alluding to the type of cell in the nervous system, the name of j-hope’s dance crew, and the words “New run” in the lyrics, which themselves signify a fresh start.

Then there’s the breathtaking production value of the song. It bears surface similarities to “on the street,” but its fuller arrangement makes it stand out, combining the boom bap sound prevalent in mid-1990s to 2000s East Coast hip hop with melodic pop rap, while also throwing in a talk box in the chorus—a sound commonly heard in West Coast hip hop. We also get a plethora of catchy variations in the bars leading up to yoonmirae’s rap. With thrilling accents, like the way the keyboard riffs trickle down from the pop chorus as the song transitions to a new beat, the single is an incomparable love letter from j-hope to hip hop.

“i wonder…,” with fellow BTS member Jung Kook, is a skillful fusion of funk and electropop. Bolstered by bright, upbeat sound production, j-hope’s autotuned rap singing and Jung Kook’s melodic vocals convey their resolute love for and faith in their fans, as well as their feelings for each other, having journeyed together so far as members of the same idol group—a particularly touching tribute for those who have been following along with them all this time. Following the track immediately with “lock / unlock” (with benny blanco and Nile Rodgers) is a stroke of genius, emphasizing the two tracks’ shared funk-driven foundations.

While “lock / unlock” is the more danceable of the two and closer to standard definitions of funk, the texture of the rhythm sections in both tracks are comparable, giving the impression of two parts of the same song expressing separate moods in different tempos. The combination of multitalented artist benny blanco’s vocals and living soul/funk legend Nile Rodgers’ guitar perfectly complements j-hope’s vocals, making for an especially adrenaline-filled track. The two back-to-back funk songs gradually increase the tempo of the album, culminating in the following track, “i don’t know” with HUH YUNJIN of LE SSERAFIM. The glossy, deep house style, j-hope’s performance, and HUH YUNJIN’s enchanting French monologue and vocals are absolutely exquisite.

The newly mixed versions of the songs included in this release treat the ears to the kind of sonic choices that only a project like this—one that stands apart from regular studio albums—could feature. VOL.1’s solo version of “on the street” sees j-hope filling the space where J. Cole once performed with verses and raps full of clever new lyrics in its place, allowing the artist to imbue his message with an even greater reach. The solo version is a tribute to street dance, representing the idol’s roots, the places he’s been along the way, the inspiration that pushes him to the next level, and an homage to the street that gives him life lessons, all wrapped up in a new version that gives fans a second chance to experience a song they’ve already poured out so much love for. The most standout line of the whole breathtaking album comes from those new verses: “There’s a difference between knowing the path and walking the path.” Sometimes in life, we think we know just how to attain what we want—how to make our dreams come true—but actually putting that plan into practice is a different issue altogether. It’s a short line, but it really stays with the listener.

The much-loved song “What if…” off j-hope’s 2022 album Jack In The Box is reincarnated on this latest release as a dance mix, sampling the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s iconic “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” in an over-the-top back-and-forth between New York hip hop and electronic without falling off the rails of the high-octane original. New to this remix are the contributions of singer-songwriter and producer JINBO, whose additions both support j-hope’s vision and provide a refreshing break of their own. Let’s get a little deeper into JINBO for a second. He’s one of only a handful of artists in Korea who fully grasped neo soul and hip hop soul and has put them to good use in a career that’s always fluctuating between hip hop/R&B and K-pop. His soft, soulful vocals serve to soothe the later part of a song mainly punctuated by j-hope’s deep, blazingly fast raps and aggressive beats.

HOPE ON THE STREET VOL.1 is a master class in how to balance mass appeal with a deeper exploration of specific genres. Within it, the ambitions j-hope conveys are simple, and you can hear how genuine he is—about his eternal love for his artistic street dance roots, pride in himself as a dancer, respect for and dedication to rap/hip hop, and heartfelt dedication to the fans who have supported him at every turn—in every note of every song thanks to those humble aspirations. It rings of when Bong Joon Ho famously offered up a Martin Scorsese quote at the Oscars: “The most personal is the most creative.” j-hope isn’t making an ostentatious toast to street dance or hip hop, but he never forgets where he got his start, and constantly reminds himself—happily, openly, honestly—of the journey he’s on.