T.O.P made his solo debut all the best way again in 2010 as a part of a twin mission with fellow Bigbang member G-Dragon. Since then, he’s hardly launched any solo music and finally wound up leaving the group altogether to concentrate on appearing. Given this, it’s a bit shocking that — sixteen years later — he’s launched his first full solo album and plans to steadily launch extra within the coming years.

To inform you the reality, I had no thought what to anticipate from T.O.P music in 2026. His previous tracks have been (unsurprisingly) hip-hop bangers, however hip-hop has modified a lot since then. With Desperado, T.O.P brings his bonafides as an actor to an atmospheric slow-burn. His cavernous vocal is straight away recognizable and paired with an instrumental that echoes that deep, resounding tone. Ornamented with guitar, the manufacturing is sparse and understated. T.O.P counters this with a efficiency that grows wilder because the track goes on. I’m not a fan of the various vocal results utilized right here, however I take pleasure in how the construction feels a bit freewheeling and far and wide.

I can’t fairly resolve how I really feel about Desperado‘s hook. It’s not a flashy melody, however its ethereal, laidback nature could play effectively in the long term. It’s — as the youngsters say — a “vibe.” I’m not often in want of a vibe nowadays and like one thing I can actually sink my enamel into, however the pure nostalgia of listening to T.O.P on a brand new observe elevates Desperado a bit.

Grade: C+