Magic Man 2

Last updated

Magic Man 2
MagicMan2digitalcover.jpg
Digital cover
Studio album by
Jackson Wang
ReleasedJuly 18, 2025
Genre
Length34:22
LanguageEnglish
Label
Jackson Wang chronology
Magic Man
(2022)		Magic Man 2
(2025)
Singles from Magic Man 2
  1. "High Alone"
    Released: February 12, 2025
  2. "GBAD"
    Released: March 28, 2025
  3. "Buck"
    Released: May 9, 2025
  4. "Hate to Love"
    Released: June 6, 2025

Magic Man 2 is the third studio album by Hong Kong recording artist Jackson Wang. It was released on July 18, 2025. [1]

Contents

Background

I've never truly written an album for myself, but every track on Magic Man 2 reflects my most genuine feelings. I want to share this sincerity with you. This album is my outpouring to the world, and also a letter to myself. It documents how I navigated the ups and downs, and how I slowly recovered. Ultimately, that's just how life is. We can't control everything, but we can choose how we think and how we face it. Whether you've found your own standards or not, it's okay. It's okay to encounter setbacks, fall, and make mistakes. Life has its ups and downs. Live the life you choose, live your own magic, and find your own "Magic Man."

— Jackson Wang, L'Officiel HK, July 2025 [2]

Preparations for Magic Man 2 began in 2023, a year after the release of Wang's previous album, [3] [4] but in December 2023, the singer went on an eight-month hiatus for health reasons, taking time to recharge and reflect. [5] The conclusions he reached were incorporated into Magic Man 2, [6] which addresses the singer's need to be honest, real, and to talk about himself as a human being. [7] [8] Magic Man 2 discusses his experiences in the industry over the past decade and the people close to him, [9] [10] and develops the themes of loneliness and doubt introduced in Magic Man (2022), [11] moving from betrayal to pain, from loneliness to acceptance, and finally moving on. [8] Wang explained that he considers it important to talk about fears, address negative thoughts, and understand what they are trying to say. [12]

The creative process began without a specific concept in mind in Japan, then continued in South Korea and Malaysia, [13] and involved two-three other people besides Wang, [14] who composed over 40–50 songs before choosing the ones that best captured the essence of his experiences and emotions. [9] [2] Sonically, it moves away from the pop hits that characterized Wang's early career as a K-pop artist and solo artist, featuring slower-paced pieces. [15]

The album explores the singer's fluctuating relationship with his musical alter ego, Magic Man, a mask created in 2022 that symbolized his darkest emotions and inner conflicts, and comes to reveal his dark and toxic nature. [16] [17] [18] It is divided into four chapters, namely "manic highs", "losing control", "realization" and "acceptance", [19] in a journey akin to the grieving process in which one listens to their heart and comes to accept the good and the bad. [18] The lyrics are taken from the diaries Wang wrote to vent his emotions about society, the music industry, human nature and reality, and reflect on who he really was. [2] [18] [20]

"High Alone" states that the deepest wounds often come not from enemies, but from those we trust the most, exploring fragility, loneliness and heartbreak. [11] [21] [22] "Not For Me" talks about rejection and self-esteem, while "Access" revolves around the themes of control and limits. [2] "Buck" is a dance pop song featuring Indian artist Diljit Dosanjh, who raps in a mix of English and Punjabi. [23] [24] "GBAD" is an alternative R&B song with a jazzy arrangement that encourages people to set limits and put themselves first, without fear of criticism and misunderstanding, prioritizing self-care and mental health. [25] [26] "Hate to Love" is a dark song in which Wang talks about love and betrayal, written after realizing that he can only trust himself. [27] "One Time" was written in a hotel room while the singer was always traveling; [2] "Everything" is an internal dialogue between Jackson Wang and Magic Man and started from the question "I gave everything I had, so why am I still so unhappy? When I fall, who will catch me?". [2] "Dear:" is a letter written to his parents and contains some of the most significant audio messages that Wang received from them in the last six or seven years. It serves as an introduction to "Sophie Ricky," a dedication to them and a reflection on the experiences of their youth. [2] "Made Me a Man" conveys the message that everything he has experienced has shaped the person he is today and he is grateful for these experiences that have helped him grow and learn from his mistakes. [2]

Critical reception

India Today praised the album's sincere and mature lyrics, calling it "an emotional map from chaos to clarity, from rage to reflection." [28]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Jackson Wang.

Magic Man 2 track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
1."High Alone"Andre Wollrabe, Charles Martin, Dwyane FlamingAndre Wollrabe, Charles Martin, Dwyane Flaming3:13
2."Not For Me"Sayak Das, Louis Bartolini, Alexis Andrea Boyd, Aaron KimSayak Das, Louis Bartolini, Alexis Andrea Boyd, Aaron Kim4:10
3."Access"Dem Jointz, Sayak Das, Louis Bartolini, Alexis Andrea BoydDem Jointz, Sayak Das, Louis Bartolini, Alexis Andrea Boyd1:57
4."Buck" (feat. Diljit Dosanjh)Dem Jointz, Alexis Andrea Boyd, Diljit Dosanjh, Sayak Das, Cheema SinghDem Jointz, Alexis Andrea Boyd, Sayak Das, Cheema Singh2:43
5."GBAD" Dem Jointz3:10
6."Hate to Love"Sayak Das, Louis Bartolini, Alexis Andrea BoydSayak Das, Louis Bartolini, Alexis Andrea Boyd3:07
7."One Time"  2:15
8."Everything"Sayak Das, Louis Bartolini, Alexis Andrea Boyd, Michelle OliveiraSayak Das, Louis Bartolini, Alexis Andrea Boyd, Michelle Oliveira4:12
9."Dear:"Sayak Das, Louis BartoliniSayak Das, Louis Bartolini2:51
10."Sophie Ricky"Sayak Das, Louis Bartolini, Alexis Andrea Boyd, Aaron KimSayak Das, Louis Bartolini, Alexis Andrea Boyd, Aaron Kim3:29
11."Made Me a Man"Sayak Das, Louis Bartolini, Alexis Andrea BoydSayak Das, Louis Bartolini, Alexis Andrea Boyd3:15
Total length:34:22

Charts

Magic Man 2 debuted at number 13 on the Billboard 200 in the United States, becoming the highest-charting album by a Chinese artist in the chart's history. [29] With over 32,000 copies sold, [30] it also peaked at #4 on the Top Album Sales Chart, #3 on the Vinyl Albums Chart, and #2 on the Indie Store Album Sales Chart. [29]

In South Korea, it debuted at #4 on the Circle Weekly Album Chart with 28,464 copies sold, [31] reaching 38,874 copies by the end of August. [32]

In the United Kingdom, it peaked at #7 on the Official Independent Album Breakers Chart, #23 on the Official Album Downloads Chart, and #44 on the Official Independent Albums Chart. [33]

References

  1. ↑ Mayks Go (May 23, 2025). "Jackson Wang To Release New Album 'MAGIC MAN 2' This July" . Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "MAN IN MOTION" (in Chinese). July 30, 2025. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  3. ↑ Starr Bowenbank (April 26, 2023). "Jackson Wang & Ciara Hit Artful Choreography in Technicolor 'Slow' Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  4. ↑ Lee, Ian (May 14, 2023). "Cover Story: Moments of Magic with Jackson Wang". L'Officiel Singapore. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  5. ↑ Zabrina Lo. "Jackson Wang on emerging from his 'most terrifying breakdown' with a colourful collaboration with designer Mobolaji Dawodu". Tatler Asia. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  6. ↑ Russell Flannery (August 15, 2024). "Do What You Love: China Pop Star Jackson Wang Talks About His Music, Designs And Future". Forbes. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  7. ↑ La Torre, Vincenzo (March 8, 2024). "Q&A | 'Be you, one time, man': Got7's Jackson Wang on fencing, fashion and fame". South China Morning Post. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  8. 1 2 Abdul Aziz Draim (August 5, 2024). "The Unstoppable Jackson Wang" . Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  9. 1 2 "新碟講人性 承認曾迷失 王嘉爾：稱號標籤都只係泡沫！│封面故事" (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). October 18, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  10. ↑ Yeo, Shu Hui (October 15, 2024). "Jackson Wang still scared of horror houses: 'You know why I'm still single now'" . Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  11. 1 2 "王嘉尔全新单曲将在网易云独家首发 第二张个人专辑2025年内上线" (in Chinese). February 11, 2025. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Jackson Wang lança aguardado álbum 'MAGICMAN 2'; ouça agora" (in Brazilian Portuguese). July 18, 2025. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  13. ↑ Akashah, Aishah (August 10, 2024). "Jackson Wang Reveals Why He Spent Extra Time in Malaysia for 'MAGIC MAN 2'" . Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  14. ↑ Elle China (March 18, 2025). "哪一面才是真正的王嘉尔？" (in Chinese). Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  15. ↑ Lui, Samantha (July 17, 2025). "Jackson Wang Talks 'MAGICMAN 2,' Reunion With GOT7 & His Life-Changing Year Off" . Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  16. ↑ "ジャクソン・ワンの新シングル『High Alone』が登場！音楽的進化の第一歩" (in Japanese). February 12, 2025. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  17. ↑ "'แจ็คสัน หวัง' ปล่อยเพลงใหม่ในรอบ 2 ปี 'High Alone' พร้อมอัลบั้ม 'MAGIC MAN 2'" (in Thai). February 14, 2025. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  18. 1 2 3 "ジャクソン・ワン、ニュー・アルバム『MAGIC MAN 2』今夏リリースへ 内面を公にする「High Alone」ティーザー公開" (in Japanese). February 12, 2025. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  19. ↑ Bhavna Agarwal (July 18, 2025). "Magic Man 2 review: Jackson Wang's alchemy of the self". India Today. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  20. ↑ Agarwal, Bhavna (February 12, 2025). "Jackson Wang announces MAGIC MAN 2 – A raw and vulnerable chapter" . Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  21. ↑ Zhang, Rui (February 15, 2025). "Pop icon Jackson Wang confronts personal demons in new music" . Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  22. ↑ Ekta Sinha (February 12, 2025). "ELLE Exclusive: K-Pop Icon Jackson Wang Set To Visit India This May, Teases A Surprise Collaboration With An Indian Artist" . Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  23. ↑ "'แจ็คสัน หวัง' ปล่อยซิงเกิลใหม่ดึง 'Diljit Dosanjh' ร่วมฟีเจอริ่ง เตรียมคลอดอัลบั้ม 'Magic Man 2'" (in Thai). May 10, 2025. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  24. ↑ Debashree Dutta (May 21, 2025). "Jackson Wang On New Collaboration with Diljit Dosanjh 'Buck'" . Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  25. ↑ Debashree Dutta (March 28, 2025). "Jackson Wang's New Single 'GBAD' is All About Self-Worth" . Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  26. ↑ Junaini, Hidzir (March 28, 2025). "Jackson Wang is unapologetic on new single & music video, 'GBAD' — watch" . Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  27. ↑ Mayks Go (June 9, 2025). "Jackson Wang Releases New Single "Hate To Love" – Listen" . Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  28. ↑ Agarwal, Bhavna (July 18, 2025). "Magic Man 2 review: Jackson Wang's alchemy of the self". India Today. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  29. 1 2 3 "Jackson Wang Makes Historic Debut On Billboard 200 Albums Chart With "MAGICMAN 2"". Hype Malaysia. July 30, 2025. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  30. ↑ "Jackson Wang debuts at 13th on Billboard 200 with 'MAGIC MAN 2', marking career best". July 30, 2025. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  31. 1 2 "Circle Album Chart - 2025 Weeks 33" . Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  32. 1 2 "Album Chart 2025.08 Month" . Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  33. ↑ "JACKSON WANG". Official Charts. November 7, 2019. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
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