I cannot fully describe the level of excitement I had for this album. I am a huge fan of RM’s Mono, a mixtape that has stood the test of time and four years later is still one of my favorites. How does Indigo fair? Here’s my review.

1. Indigo: A Review of RM’s First
Full-Length Solo Album
I cannot fully describe the level of
excitement I had for this album. I am a huge
fan of RM’s Mono, a mixtape that has stood
the test of time and four years later is still
one of my favorites. How does Indigo fair?
Here’s my review.

2. Yun (with Erykah Badu): 6.5/10
The album opens with RM’s classic smooth rap over a coffee
shop-esc lo-fi instrumental, with soft piano, bass, and jazzy notes.
Erykah Badu comes in with some soulful vocals which match the
R&B vibe perfectly. The lyrics of this song are strong and set a
precedent for the album:
I wanna be a human
‘Fore I do some art
It’s a cruel world
But there’s gon’ be my part
‘Cause true beauty is a true sadness
Now you could feel my madness?

3. Still Life (with Anderson
.Paak): 8/10
“Still Life” is a feel-good song with upbeat grooves
and great ad-libs. This song is sure to get you
dancing. RM continues his lyrical genius with this
track, comparing his life to still life art. Lyrics like “I
want to escape the frame of this canvas” and “Shall
my flower bloom again” help listeners think through
complex ideas whilst bopping along to the beat–
classic Kim Namjoon.

4. All Day (with Tablo): 7/10
RM comes out with strong rap in “All Day.” And
it’s no surprise because of who he chose to
feature, Epik High’s Tablo. Together, they make
this bright track unique and a cheerful listen.
Trading off between Korean and English, this
song is a bop for a wide audience.

5. Forg_tful (with Kim Sawol): 8/10
This is the moment I had been waiting for–RM vocals. I’ve
always loved his soft singing voice, but rarely got to hear
it on BTS or solo tracks. “Forg_tful” is sweet, calming, and
introspective. The soft guitar in the back allows for all the
focus to be on the vocals. Additionally, the use of whistle
makes the song feel homey. The duet between artists
was delightful. RM’s lyrics are reflective as he sings:
I keep forgetting the me of yesterday.
I’m only twenty-six, yeah, yeah.
Why can’t I remember?

6. Closer (with Paul Blanco,
Mahalia): 6.5/10
“Closer” felt very RM, identifiable in lyrical
nature and sound. The collab here works so well
to propel the message of missing someone and
wanting to be close to them. The last third
“Closer” is the best part, as the instrumental
feels more concentrated, leading into a
crescendo of sound.

7. Change pt.2: 8/10
This track is honest and gritty. The production stands out
on the album, as it utilizes electronic to give off a hectic
feeling that reflects the lyrics. RM expresses regrets and
change in a relationship, which is perfectly represented in
“Change pt.2.”

8. Lonely: 7/10
Opening with an upbeat guitar riff, this song’s melody
is midleadingly upbeat compared to the lyrics. Check
out a glimpse below:
I tried a million times to let you go
So many memories are on the floor
And now I hate the cities I don’t belong
Just wanna go back home
There’s something cathartic about this song, and I
can see someone putting it on repeat when feeling
lonely.

9. Hectic (with Colde): 8.5/10
This track has a retro, disco feel, yet is still chill in nature
with RM’s vocals and Colde’s soft rap. Lyrics like “Still
love and hate this city” remind me of his track from Mono,
“Seoul”. RM is honest in “Hectic” with the repeated line,
“Today was a hard day.” I can easily see myself listening
to this song on loop.

10. Wild Flower (with youjeen): 10/10
There’s a reason this track was released as the music video.
It’s explosive, strong, and memorable. If you only listen to one
track on Indigo, it needs to be “Wild Flower.” As if RM’s vocals
and rap weren’t enough, youjeen makes this track boom to life
in the chorus. Her vocals are powerful and the perfect choice
for this song. “Wild Flower” isn’t just a great track, the lyrics
are brutally candid.
Even before the start, I imagined
An end where I could applaud and smile
That’s what I wishеd for
When everything I bеlieved in grew distant
When all this fame turned into shackles
Please take my desire away from me
Society’s all for the loudest voice
And here I am, still speaking silence
When your own heart underestimates you
When your dreams devour you
When you feel you’re not yourself
All those times

11. No.2 (with parkjiyoon): 9/10
A lovely outro to the album, parkjiyoon’s vocals are rich
and perfect for this ballad. After such a big song, “No.2” is
a great landing place. It’s upbeat enough to not feel like a
let down after “Wild Flower” but not as explosive to feel
in competition with the previous track. There’s something
nostalgic about the melody, too. The song’s message is
not to look back, keep going forward. It ends with RM’s
vocals and a soft exit. It’s the perfect close to Indigo.

12. Total: 7.5/10
“Wild Flower” is the standout on this album and
the song I have been listening to most. There are
some good tracks on this album for sure, but
ultimately Indigo does not beat out Mono in my
book. Additionally, some listeners might find
they’re skipping tracks due to expletives.
However, overall, it’s a solid debut full-length
album. I appreciate the intentionality of RM in
selecting the collaborators and how honest he is
in his lyrics, making him one of my favorite
Korean artists.