Jul 13, 2026 8:00pm IST
Yeonjun Gets Bolder With Love Confessions But Avoids Going Deeper in ‘NO LABELS: PART 02’: Album Review
Yeonjun, the oldest member of TOMORROW X TOGETHER, drops his second mini-album “NO LABELS: PART 02” on the back of the November 2025 release of his debut solo record “NO LABELS: PART 01,” which went on to receive praise from fans and foes alike.
The six-track EP brings forth Yeonjun’s sophomore attempt at expressing his personal music tastes by experimenting with different sounds. Starting off with “Vanilla”, the 26-year-old takes pride in being a little basic until the one who changes him comes along. Comparing himself to the deeply rooted Pyongyang naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles), which are usually brushed off to the side due to their subtle flavor, he also insinuates being an acquired taste himself, tracing the unfamiliar emotions of a tender relationship.
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The lead track “Ice Cream” follows suit with a refreshing funk-rock tune, unlike the electro-hip-hop tones of “GGUM” that made him go viral the last time around. It makes analogies with a freezing romance, one that can easily melt under external heat. A music video that places him in the eyeline of pretty ladies with whom he wishes to maintain a situationship rather than get too serious accompanies the album’s drop on July 10.
The above two tracks have been composed by BIGHIT MUSIC’s in-house talent, producer Slow Rabbit, who has hits like BTS’ “Butterfly,” “RUN,” “Converse High,” TXT’s “Crown,” “0X1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You)”, KATSEYE’s “Gnarly” and more for other HYBE acts under his belt. He joins hands with “hitman” BANG and MISHA for the “NO LABELS: PART 02” releases.
With “Baby Wassup?” Yeonjun takes on another approach towards a potential partner. He’s “got it bad” and details his emotional imbalance while trying to get hold of himself. The singer chooses to call his romantic interest “sweet like cream” making yet another food comparison in the album and one may begin to think he’s a glutton at this point.
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“No More Disco" sings of a meet-cute in a club, which soon turns into a music session that connects the two and entangles their heart’s desires. Sonically, it adds the most variety to the record but lyrically remains in the same vein as its predecessors.
“You can’t block my shine,” Yeonjun finally catches a breath away from the rose-tinted nature of the album with a track that talks about his humble beginnings and prodigy status during trainee days. In “Fxxking Star,” he goes on to rap about leather pants and smashing guitars in one verse, while singing about rising up from the basement in the other.
Lastly, with “Long Way Long Ride,” producer PXPILLON makes his return to the K-pop group’s discography after collaborations on multiple lead singles and B-sides. The close-off for the singer’s 2nd EP comes on a slower note as he goes on a drive with himself, offering comfort on the lengthy path of life.
In “NO LABELS: PART 02,” Yeonjun does not reveal much of his internal thoughts and tackles romantic emotions for the most part. As much as he went heavy on the messaging of avoiding having any labels for himself, the record plants him as a lover boy, one who has many experiences but is yet to open up about them.
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