Archive 1: Road Runner
Archive 1: is the first studio album by South Korean singer Jay B, released on November 27, 2024.
Background
The release of Archive 1: was announced in early November 2024, following Jay B's discharge from mandatory military service. The album consists of thirteen tracks, two of which are exclusive to the physical edition, written and composed by the singer under the pseudonym Def. and they convey the emotion of reunion, the discovery of a more mature self, and the excitement of starting over. The title is composed of two elements: "Archive 1" indicates Jay B's intention to release more albums, while "Road Runner" represents his determination to keep running forward.The album's tracks "weave together introspection, vulnerability, and a longing for freedom." The singer began working on the first track, "Baby," nine years earlier. The song, along with "If You," is about an innocent love. "Crash" expresses a desire to find meaning in everything around him as he embarks on his journey, while "Cloud Nine" is an R&B track that compares happiness to the feeling of floating on a cloud.
Critical reception
For Marianna Baroli of Panorama, the album is "a musical portrait of an artist evolving, baring his soul without fear." Nylon wrote that Jay B's artistic freedom had come to the forefront in his first full-length album, praising its emotional honesty and innovative sounds."Cloud Nine" was listed among the 40 best K-pop songs of 2024 by The Stardust Mag.