Point of View: U
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Point of View: U
| type = EP
| artist = Yugyeom
| cover = Point of View U album cover.jpg
| caption = Digital cover
| released = {{Start date|2021|06|17}}
| genre = R&B
| length = {{Duration|m=24|s=11}}
| language = Korean
| label = AOMG
| misc = {{Singles|type=EP|single1=I Want U Around|single1date=June 11, 2021}}
}}
Point of View: U is the first EP of South Korean singer Yugyeom. It was released on June 17, 2021, through AOMG.{{Cite web|date=June 17, 2021|title=GOT7's Yugyeom unveils dramatic video for 'All Your Fault' with GRAY|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/got7-yugyeom-all-your-fault-gray-video-point-of-view-u-ep-2971988|access-date=December 26, 2021|website=NME|language=en-GB}}
Background and release
On June 3, 2021, media outlets reported the imminent release of a collaboration between Yugyeom and Gray.{{Cite web |url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/609/0000450196 |title=유겸, AOMG 계약 후 첫 신곡 어떨까 "6월 중 발표" |author=Park Soo-in |website=n.news.naver.com |language=ko |access-date=December 19, 2021}}{{Cite web |url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=117&aid=0003502937 |title=[단독] 'AOMG 이적' 갓세븐 유겸, 6월 컴백...그레이 피처링 |website=entertain.naver.com |language=ko |access-date=December 19, 2021}} In the following days, AOMG announced June 11 and June 17 as the release dates,{{Cite web |url=http://mosen.mt.co.kr/article/G1111593350 |title=갓세븐 출신 유겸, 11일 신곡 발표..AOMG 계약 후 첫 행보[공식] |author=OSEN |website=mosen.mt.co.kr |date=June 4, 2021 |language=ko |access-date=December 19, 2021}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.hankyung.com/entertainment/article/2021060700404 |title=갓세븐 유겸, 11일·17일 잇따라 솔로 신곡 공개...AOMG 첫 행보 [공식] |website=hankyung.com |date=June 7, 2021 |language=ko |access-date=December 19, 2021}} then revealing that Yugyeom would release a seven-track extended play titled Point of View: U.{{Cite web |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2021/06/08/entertainment/kpop/Yugyeom-GOT7-AOMG/20210608161800316.html |title=GOT7's Yugyeom to release his first solo EP on June 17 |website=koreajoongangdaily.joins.com |date=June 8, 2021 |language=en |access-date=December 19, 2021}} The record sees the participation of hip hop artists DeVita, Loco, Gray, Jay Park and Punchnello, with Gray producing five songs and Cha Cha Malone two.
The single "I Want You Around", featuring DeVita, was pre-released on June 11, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Yoo |first=Byeong-cheol |date=June 11, 2021 |title=유겸, 11일 첫 솔로 앨범 선공개곡 'I Want U Around (Feat. DeVita)' 발매 |url=https://www.wowtv.co.kr/NewsCenter/News/Read?articleId=A202106110369 |website=Korea Economic TV |language=ko}}{{Cite web |url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=382&aid=0000915590 |title=유겸, 11일 'I Want U Around' 음원 선공개 [공식] |website=entertain.naver.com |language=ko |access-date=December 19, 2021}}{{Cite web |url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0003443763 |title=유겸, 오늘(11일) 첫 솔로 앨범 선공개곡 'I Want U Around' 발매 |author=Park Seo-yeon |website=entertain.naver.com |language=ko |access-date=December 19, 2021}} The extended play was released on June 17 together with the music video of the title track "All Your Fault", and "tells a love story in all its rocky, emotional glory while exploring the different facets of R&B."
Promotions
Yugyeom promoted "All Your Fault" with Gray on M Countdown on June 17,{{Cite web |last=Jung |first=Ji-won |date=June 17, 2021 |title='엠카운트다운' 뱀뱀·유겸, 같은 그룹 다른 무대→브브걸 컴백 |url=https://www.inews24.com/view/1376825 |access-date=June 5, 2022 |website=inews24 |language=ko}} Show! Music Core on June 19,{{Cite web |last=Hwang |first=Ji-young |date=June 19, 2021 |title='음악중심' 로맨틱가이 뱀뱀-수줍은 미소 유겸 |url=https://isplus.joins.com/2021/06/19/enter/entertainment/24086221.html |access-date=June 5, 2022 |website=isplus.joins.com |language=ko}} and Inkigayo on June 20.{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Seung-hoon |date=June 20, 2021 |title='인기가요' 트와이스, 이변 없이 1위..브레이브걸스원위 컴백→뱀뱀유겸 솔로 데뷔[종합] |url=https://www.chosun.com/entertainments/entertain_photo/2021/06/20/Q6HHI5D7V3OZUFO3JKVTJNJYLI/ |access-date=June 5, 2022 |language=ko}}
Music and lyrics
Point of View: U opens with "I Want You Around", described as an R&B song with a beat trap in which the singer expresses his desire for his lover.{{Cite web |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/yugyeom-unveils-dark-cinematic-music-video-for-i-want-u-around/ |title=YUGYEOM Unveils Dark, Cinematic Music Video For 'I Want U Around' |date=June 11, 2021 |language=en-US |access-date=December 22, 2021}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/got7s-yugyeom-mesmerises-compelling-solo-debut-want-u-around-feat-devita-upcoming-album/ |title=GOT7's Yugyeom mesmerises in compelling solo debut 'I Want U Around' feat. DeVita from his upcoming album |website=Bollywood Hungama |date=June 11, 2021 |language=en |access-date=December 22, 2021}} In "Running Through The Rain", Yugyeom promises to always be there, even in hard times; the song mixes synthesizer, pop and R&B, with a bridge that, according to NME, is reminiscent of late-'90s/early-2000s Daft Punk.
"All Your Fault" speaks of heartbreak, while "All About U", which features an EDM-based beat mixed with deep bass, expresses how all revolves around his lover. In "Love The Way" he confesses he can't stop his feelings, while in "Falling In Love" he sings of how falling in love leads to wanting to keep the one you love in your heart forever. The record is closed by the sentimental track "When U Fall", with "sophisticated guitar melodies and a soft piano instrumental."
Critical reception
{{Album ratings
| rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}
| rev2score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}
}}
In reviewing Point of View: U, Natasha Mulenga of NME called it "a triumphant introduction to his artistic independence" with which he "explores his budding artistry while shedding the constraints that comes with being an idol," giving the record 4 out of 5 stars.{{Cite web|last=Mulenga|first=Natasha|date=June 28, 2021|title=Yugyeom – 'Point Of View: U' review: a triumphant introduction to his artistic independence|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/yugyeom-point-of-view-u-review-2979852|website=NME}} EnVi Magazine called the EP "divine" and wrote that the fact that Yugyeom was able to create music capable of moving people emotionally was "an illustration of his diversity and range as a composer, lyricist and performer."{{Cite web|date=June 22, 2021|title=Yugyeom's in Love in Solo Debut Point of View:U|url=https://www.envimedia.co/yugyeoms-in-love-in-solo-debut-point-of-viewu/|access-date=December 26, 2021|website=EnVi Media|language=en}}
Kim Hyo-jin of Rhythmer rated Point of View: U 2.5 out of 5 stars, finding the tracks very similar in rhythms, vibes and lyrics; on the other hand she appreciated the use of Yugyeom's lower vocal register, "which demonstrates his change and growth as a soloist."{{Cite web|last=Kim|first=Hyojin|date=June 30, 2021|title=유겸 - Point of View:U|url=http://board.rhythmer.net/src/go.php?n=19474&m=view&c=16&s=review|website=Rhythmer|language=ko}}
= Year-end lists =
| class="wikitable"
!Publication !List !Rank !Ref. |
| HipHopDX
|Asia's 20 Best Albums of 2021 |n/a |
| Rolling Stone India
|10 Best Korean Hip-Hop and R&B Albums of 2021 |6 |
Track listing
{{Track listing
| title1 = I Want U Around
| music4 = {{hlist|Yugyeom|Gray}}
| title7 = When You Fall
| title6 = Falling In Love
| title5 = Love The Way
| title4 = All About U
| title3 = All Your Fault
| extra3 = Gray
| lyrics4 = {{hlist|Yugyeom|Gray|Loco}}
| extra4 = Gray
| title2 = Running Through The Rain
| lyrics5 = {{hlist|Yugyeom|Jay Park|Punchnello}}
| music5 = {{hlist|Yugyeom|Cha Cha Malone|Jay Park}}
| extra5 = Cha Cha Malone
| lyrics6 = Yugyeom
| music6 = {{hlist|Yugyeom|Cha Cha Malone|Cho Michelle|Adrian Mckinnon}}
| extra6 = Cha Cha Malone
| lyrics7 = {{hlist|Yugyeom|Gray}}
| music7 = {{hlist|Yugyeom|Gray}}
| note1 = Feat. DeVita
| note5 = Feat. Jay Park & Punchnello
| length5 = 3:02
| music1 = {{hlist|Yugyeom|Gray|DeVita}}
| music3 = {{hlist|Yugyeom|Gray}}
| lyrics3 = {{hlist|Yugyeom|Gray}}
| extra2 = {{hlist|Gray|Dax|Perro}}
| music2 = {{hlist|Yugyeom|Gray|Dax|Perro}}
| lyrics2 = {{hlist|Yugyeom|Gray}}
| extra1 = Gray
| extra_column = Arrangement
| lyrics1 = {{hlist|Yugyeom|Gray|DeVita}}
| note4 = Feat. Loco
| total_length = 24:11
| length7 = 3:44
| length6 = 3:24
| length4 = 3:44
| note3 = 네 잘못이야) (Feat. Gray
| length3 = 3:02
| length2 = 4:04
| length1 = 3:11
| extra7 = Gray
}}
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan="1" |Chart (2021) ! scope="col" |Peak position ! scope="col" |Sales |
| scope="row" |South Korea Weekly (Gaon){{cite web|title=2021년 26주차 Album Chart|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=26&hitYear=2021&termGbn=week|access-date=|website=Gaon Music Chart|language=ko}}
|8 | rowspan="2" |KOR: 43,906{{Cite web|title=2021년 07월 Album Chart|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?serviceGbn=ALBUM&termGbn=month&hitYear=2021&targetTime=07&nationGbn=T|website=Gaon Music Chart|language=ko}} |
|---|
| scope="row" |South Korea Monthly (Gaon){{cite web|title=Point of View: U – June, 2021|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&termGbn=month|access-date=July 22, 2021|website=Gaon Chart|language=ko}}
|22 |