Global superstar Jackson Wang (王嘉爾/왕잭슨) shows no signs of stopping! Just over a week after concluding GOT7’s (갓세븐) comeback activities, the singer announced his upcoming album, “MAGIC MAN 2”. The new album is the follow-up to his highly successful “MAGIC MAN” album, released in 2022.
This upcoming release marks a new chapter in Jackson’s musical career and is said to be deeply personal. There has yet to be an official release date for the project, but the first single will drop on 13th February 2025 (Thursday). In the meantime, here’s what we know about the album so far:
“MAGIC MAN 2” Will Focus On A More Vulnerable Side Of Jackson
As mentioned earlier, this album is deeply personal to Jackson. In an official statement about the release, the singer revealed that he was in a dark place mentally and physically after the end of his “MAGIC MAN” tour. As a result, he started journaling his thoughts in a diary, writing down how and why he felt the way he felt. All those thoughts would then lay the groundwork for this new album.
The Album Will Split Into Four Chapters
According to sources, “MAGIC MAN 2” will be split into four chapters, chronicling the evolution of Jackson’s emotions. Each chapter will explore different stages of grief in a raw and unfiltered way. The four chapters are described as: 1) manic highs fueled by denial, 2) painful reckoning of lost identity, 3) setting boundaries and shedding people-pleasing tendencies, and 4) finding peace through acceptance.
The Significance Of The Number 888 In The First Single
The first chapter of the “MAGIC MAN 2” album will be unveiled very soon – in just a few hours. The album’s first single, “High Alone”, will be released on 13th February 2025 (Thursday), 12am MYT. However, some fans have noticed a hidden detail to the single: the release date is 888 days after “Blow”, the first single from the first “MAGIC MAN” album. More eerily, “Blow” was also released 888 days after Jackson’s debut solo album, “MIRRORS”.
The Album Took One Year To Make
Album preparation can take a long time – and for “MAGIC MAN 2”, it took Jackson well over a year. Part of the reason for the year-long prep is because the star took a much-needed break from the spotlight, which opened up suppressed emotions. Once he was ready to share his story, Jackson spent months dedicating himself to the project. He also travelled to different parts of the world and worked with old and new collaborators for the tracks.
Malaysia Played A Role In The Making Of “MAGIC MAN 2”
Speaking of different parts of the world – remember the few weeks in 2024 when Jackson was spotted in shopping malls and mamak stalls in the Klang Valley? Well, the star was here to work on this exact album. During an event appearance in August 2024, Jackson revealed, “I was in Malaysia specifically to work on the music. My process (for the album) began in Japan, continued in Korea, and concluded in Malaysia for the final sessions.”
Fans and friends of Jackson are already getting pumped for the new release. Are you excited for “MAGIC MAN 2”? In the meantime, check out the teaser for “High Alone”:
Sources: Clash, IndiaToday, The Sun, Syok.my, Twitter, Instagram
