[EPN Enpinow reporter Go Nari] T.O.P, the former Big Bang member, has returned with his first solo full-length album in 13 years — and his ex-bandmates G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung publicly rallied behind him, underscoring their enduring camaraderie.
On April 4, G-Dragon posted images of T.O.P’s new release, Another Dimension — the album jacket and streaming proof — to his social media account, signaling strong support. Earlier, Taeyang and Daesung used their own social channels to amplify the album’s release. Though each member has pursued solo careers, their visible encouragement after 20 years together moved fans and lent clear backing to T.O.P’s artistic independence.
Released on April 3, the album comprises 11 tracks, including double title songs \"Desperado\" and \"Totally Crazy! (Studio54).\" T.O.P produced every track himself, carving out a distinct musical identity from his earlier work with notable genre shifts and candid emotional expression.
His distinct sonic signature threads through the record: tender love songs sit beside tracks that fuse house with an ’80s hip-hop sensibility, yielding a diverse and cohesive set. On \"Ovaya (OVAYA),\" T.O.P directly evokes the band’s past glories with lines translated as “we were happier as five” and “I’m leaving BIG-BANG,” making his perspective on a possible post-controversy return unambiguous. Songs such as \"Totally Crazy!\" and \"T.O.P’s Outburst\" also function as indirect apologies to fans who were hurt by past controversies.
Since debuting with Big Bang in 2006 and delivering numerous hits, T.O.P stepped back from the spotlight after a 2016 drug scandal and endured an extended hiatus. He once signaled intentions to retire from the industry, but he has recently re-engaged with the public, notably with a role in Netflix’s Squid Game 2 and now this full-length record.
Photos=CJ ENM, Topspot Pictures
