Ha Sung Woon is nominated for Best Male Soloist, while Sneakers, is also nominated for Best Male Choreography (Solo) in the 2021 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Click here to support Ha Sung Woon and your other favourite artists.

Ha Sung Woon’s November comeback release is next up on the album review chopping block. The mini-album, which is his sixth one since his solo debut three years ago, is titled Electrified: Urban Nostalgia and is lead by the title track Electrified. As mentioned in Electrified‘s song review post, this mini-album is the last release from Ha Sung Woon whilst under Star Crew Entertainment – the company he has been under since his debut in 2014 as part of HOTSHOT. Thus, this release closes a chapter in Ha Sung Woon’s career. Since the announcement that this would be his last release under his old company, Ha Sung Woon has signed on with Big Planet Made, which is currently home to Soyou, Huh Gak and future debut female group VIVAZ (consisting of Eunha, Sin.B and Umji – former members of GFriend). So while Ha Sung Woon is settling in with his new company and is preparing for new releases, let’s have a listen to Electrified: Urban Nostalgia.

1. Back To You – Starting off the album is the blissful sounding Back To You. I really like the airiness of Ha Sung Woon’s vocals throughout this track. Definition to Ha Sung Woon’s vocals was added by the use of backing vocals, and the slight use of autotune at certain times helped blend everything together with the electronic pop instrumentation. Regarding the instrumentation, I liked its lightness and it had such a neat vibe to it. I also really like the presence of the piano, which helped keep Back To You grounded in my opinion. The melodies and hooks were all soothing and catchy as well. A strong start to the album. (9/10)

2. Electrified (Title Track) – Click here for Electrified’s full review. (7.5/10)

3. Fairy Tale – Smoothness takes over the album through Fairy Tale. It is a R&B ballad that sounds really smooth but has a very typical instrumentation. I did think the typical nature of the instrumentation made the song dull at first, but subsequent listens and the song’s overall smoothness has changed that impression. However, I still wish the instrumental isn’t as typical as it is. Ha Sung Woon sounds really nice, utilizing his husky vocals and falsettos throughout the song. The melodies in this song are quite good as well, pulling me in. (7.5/10)

4. Love Sound (ft. Rauas) – Love Sound gives off Christmas vibes. I am not entirely sure if this was meant to be the intention, but I don’t mind it. It gives Love Sound a happy and cheerful tone, which definitely makes the sound more appealing and inviting for me. It also helps change up the tone of the album a bit, as well. The rest of the instrumentation follows that happier tone and brings out that swaying effect I talk about often (regarding ballads). Ha Sung Woon’s vocals, which is pretty much in falsetto mode for majority of the song, also passes off as playful and sweet. Rauas’s hip-hop sequence was quite enjoyable and added a mellow touch to the song. (8.5/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.1/10