[Album Review] CALL BACK (1st Studio Album) – MINHO (SHINee)

While I am fully aware that MINHO has made a more recent solo comeback (TEMPO, a week ago), I have just been too busy and preoccupied to review it just yet. I will definitely get around to it in the new year (just not sure when). But I have managed to find some time to review MINHO’s 1st studio album, CALL BACK, which was released over a year ago. It features 10 songs in total, with the title track sharing the same name as the album. Overall, a consistently good album from MINHO, with a few gems to keep an ear out for.

1. CALL BACK (Title Track) – Click here to read my full review for CALL BACK. (8/10)

2. Slow Down – MINHO asks for time to slow down so he can spend more time with his lover. I liked the combination of dreamy synths and trap elements in this R&B song, as well as the simple yet repetitive nature of the song’s title in the chorus. I also enjoyed the distortion in the bridge, which gave Slow Down a cooler effect. I also appreciate that Slow Down is only 2:46, yet it feels like a song that runs over 3:30. (8/10)

3. FIREWORKS (ft. SOHEE from RIIZE) – For FIREWORKS, I liked the funky and upbeat underlay in the instrumental. It creates a fun atmosphere that makes FIREWORKS quite enjoyable. MINHO’s deeper rapping vocals also add to this aspect of the song, but I also enjoyed the contrast with SOHEE’s higher-pitched vocals during the chorus and bridge. (8/10)

4. Came and Left Me – Chosen as the accompanying side track for promotions, Came and Left Me goes for a dance-pop style that is well catered to MINHO’s abilities and style. MINHO’s raspy vocals were definitely well-utilised. I also particularly enjoyed the percussion in the pre-chorus, the pronounced acoustic guitar riff throughout the song, and the punchy synth work. All of this comes together to create a simple yet effective track. (10/10)

5. Something About U – MINHO continues the dance style through Something About U, with the track going for an intense and synth-heavy dance track. The synths were wild, and I could hear something resembling an electric guitar at the end of the pre-choruses. MINHO delves further into this by featuring bass guitars as part of the backing for the chorus. While I do appreciate the intensity of Something About U, it could have done better with stronger hooks and melodies to really remember the song by. (8/10)

6. Round Kick – Round Kick features an awesome mix of instrumentation. There is just so much going on – synths, percussive, brass, drumming (of the retro nature) and probably a whole lot more. MINHO himself is also quite engaging throughout the track, serving as a constant throughout Round Kick. I liked how he served as a mechanism to tie everything together into one cohesive number, which was the impression I got towards the end of the song. But upon reflection and a closer listen, MINHO has been doing this from the start. (10/10)

7. Affection – MINHO steers us back into pure R&B territory with soft afrobeats being the song’s defining feature. Because of the soft afrobeats and MINHO’s deep vocals at play in Affection, the track has an alluring smoothness that makes it sound dreamy and hazy, which I quite liked. I would have liked more in terms of a hook or melody, but as is, it is also completely fine. (8/10)

8. I Don’t Miss You – Two things really stand out in this blend of R&B and pop. The first has to be the instrumental, particularly the pounding, dulled beat and prolific guitar work. The second is the combination of vocals and rapping throughout. Altogether, I Don’t Miss You is quite an engaging track.(9/10)

9. Because of You (ft. NINGNING of aespa) – The penultimate song of the studio album brings MINHO and NINGNING (from aespa) together. Similar to the other collaborative track on this album, I enjoyed the contrast between MINHO’s deep, raspy vocals and NINGNING’s refreshing, higher-pitched tone. The blend of the two was really nice, as was the acoustic-leaning instrumental. (9/10)

10. Would You Mind – Bringing the album to a close is Would You Mind. MINHO’s vocals throughout the song, particularly during the pre-choruses, were really well done. The dreamy instrumental that accompanies also has a nice, alluring R&B energy. That touch of brass at the end was quite unexpected, but really helped offset the potential for Would You Mind to be overly consistent. (8/10)