Tag: SHINee

[Album Review] Pleasure Shop (3rd Mini Album) – KEY (SHINee)

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Yep, I am still in 2024 with some of the album reviews. Up next is KEY’s 3rd mini-album, Pleasure Shop, which was released in September last year. The six-track mini-album is led by a track that shares the same name as the mini-album, alongside five additional tracks. With KEY at the helm of the mini-album, you know it is going to be a strong and good set of tracks, and KEY does not disappoint with Pleasure Shop. It is definitely a recommended listen from me.

More recently (say in the last month), KEY returned with his third studio album, HUNTER, led by the title track of the same name.

Pleasure Shop Album Cover

1. Pleasure Shop (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for Pleasure Shop. (8/10)

2. Overthink – Overthink is probably the most intriguing single on this mini-album, instrumentally, with its really cool and sharp harp-like synth and the powerful, deep beats. While both initially felt conflicting, they somehow melded with one another to balance each other out. KEY himself manages to slide over the top of the background and join the cohesiveness that is Overthink, a definite pleaser in an aesthetic club. (10/10)  

3. Golden – This dance pop track brings out a relatively more mellow sound, following the previous track. That being said, it is still quite upbeat. Just like the title of the song, Golden has a golden aura to it that makes it feel just right as the soundtrack for a sunset on a summer day. This is amplified by KEY’s vocals, which possess a particularly warm tone. I don’t think Golden stands out as much as some of the other songs on the album, but it is a nice palette cleanser for the mini-album. (8/10)

4. I Know – I love the deep funky vibes that really make I Know’s house instrumental – I wouldn’t mind listening to an instrumental version of the track just for those vibes. KEY’s bright vocals bring a nice accent to the song, as well. However, melodically, I Know feels a bit plain for my liking, especially on this mini-album. I wish there were more to I Know’s melodies to help it stand out more. (8/10)

5. Going Up – Going Up has similar deep funky vibes in its instrumental, but KEY’s vocals are so sensually alluring in this song. The bass is so powerful in this song that my surroundings feel like they are vibrating along when I play it. The synth-pop accents in the instrumental are also so beautiful. The way the ‘Up’ in the lyrics soars upwards briefly, relatively to the rest of the song, is also very unique. (10/10)

6. Novacaine – What gets me about Novacaine is the smooth vocals that KEY delivers. This, over the drum and bass instrumental, just clicks and works perfectly with one another to create such a pleasant closer to the mini-album. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9/10

KEY’s teaser image for Pleasure Shop

[Review] HUNTER – KEY (SHINee)

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Returning at the start of this week was KEY with his 3rd studio album and lead single, both titled HUNTER. It is his first solo release in almost a year, with the last being his 3rd mini-album Pleasure Shop (album review coming soon) and single of the same name.

HUNTER sees KEY make another return with the electropop genre. And like his other endeavours with this style, he simply does not miss. HUNTER immediately grabs my attention from the first second with its groovy synth bass. As the song progresses, cooler synth choices come into play to make HUNTER even more impactful. I really enjoyed how the chorus concentrates the bass, synth, and energy, developing into a very grungy and bolstered number that has me coming back for more. The chorus also has a super catchy melody that helps greatly in that department, as well. KEY himself commands your attention with his powerful vocals and whispery raps in the HUNTER. He definitely gave the song extra impact and oomph, which matches the intensity of the synths in the background and those grungy vibes I mentioned earlier. My only major criticism is simply that HUNTER felt too short. It is a fast-paced dance track, so being just over 3 minutes doesn’t seem enough. And if that is the only thing HUNTER missed, then HUNTER definitely left an impression on me.

The music video might not be suitable for everyone. There is some violence throughout the video that might not be your cup of tea, so proceed with caution. I will admit that I find HUNTER’s music video to have quite a striking concept. The lyrics speak of a toxic relationship where the pair struggle between being in love or obsessed with one another. However, in the music video, the toxicity is depicted with two versions of KEY (one with red hair, another with black hair). One is being hunted, while the other is the hunter – we just never know which version of KEY is which, since both are involved in hunting the other, depicting the toxicity the lyrics touch on. In the choreography scenes at the end of the video, it is confirmed we are seeing two sides of one person with the two hair colours appearing at once.

KEY delivers a bold performance for HUNTER. I really enjoyed the MJ Thriller-esque inspiration and vibe that is going on, and I liked how the sharpness matches up with the fast-paced and dynamic nature of HUNTER. KEY definitely shone on stage and pulled off a live performance quite impressively.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 10/10
Performance – 10/10
Overall Rating – 9.5/10

[Album Review] ETERNAL (5th Mini-Album) – TAEMIN (SHINee)

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As promised, here is the next post – just coming in at the very end of the day, where I am. Anyhow, this next post is the album review for TAEMIN’s 5th mini-album, ETERNAL, which was released in August 2024. A total of 7 songs are featured on this mini-album, including the singles Sexy In The Air and Horizon. The mini-album serves as his first mini-album following his departure from SM Entertainment (but he continues to be attached to SHINee, as evident through his participation in the recently released Poet | Artist) and commemorates the tenth anniversary since his solo debut. The mini-album also follows Guilty from the year before.

Overall, ETERNAL is another strong mini-album from TAEMIN. I mentioned something below as part of my thoughts on one of the songs, but I think it’s a statement that can be applied to the entire album. Put simply, this mini-album showcases TAEMIN’s artistic sense through his diverse range of sound profiles and the aesthetics presented in each track. More on this down below.

ETERNAL Album Cover

1. G.O.A.T – The mini-album starts off with a hip-hop track with some classy instrumentation. The piano and R&B vibes in this track make G.O.A.T feel sophisticated, while the EDM elicits a strong feeling that the accompanying performance would be a killer. TAEMIN has a strong command, and he really shows it off by making the opening single really captivating. (9/10)

2. Sexy In The Air (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for Sexy In The Air. (8/10)

3. Horizon – Horizon is the mini-album’s secondary single. I had initial plans to review it separately (as it does have its own music video – see below). However, if I remember correctly, the music video was briefly taken down, and I never checked if it had been re-uploaded until today. Anyhow, Horizon is a bold single with its punchy synth-pop instrumentation. The bass gives the song extra depth, and the chorus really hits with a strong burst of energy. TAEMIN absolutely shines here, and I liked how he makes the hooks feel so impactful and memorable. (10/10)

4. The Unknown Sea – Midway into the album, TAEMIN treats us to a ballad that speaks to the excitement and nervousness of the unknown. What makes The Unknown Sea more memorable from the onset compared to other ballads is that this song has bite to it, both in a vocal and instrumental sense. TAEMIN puts heft and emotions behind his vocals, which allows him to sound stunning and captivating in The Unknown Sea. The instrumentation is beautifully sparse, and I like how it builds as the song progresses. (8.5/10)

5. Crush – Crush sees TAEMIN venture into retro and electro-pop. TAEMIN also brings some funk to the mix through his vocals, giving the track some MJ flair. The “Na Na Na” is very catchy, and I enjoyed the textures in the background. Everything in this track had me coming back for more. (10/10)

6. Deja vu – Deja vu has this grandness to it that leaves me in awe. The classical side of the instrumental is captivating, while the basic trap beats and the background vocals in the bridge just give Deja vu a modern side to it. Both come together to truly show TAEMIN’s artistic style, though I wish the producers had explored more of that modern side in the background. He has consistently shown his strong vocals throughout this mini-album, but the way he carries himself throughout Deja vu feels elegant and just doesn’t disappoint at any moment. (9/10)

7. Say Less – TAEMIN closes out the mini-album with another non-traditional ballad. Say Less differs from traditional ballads through the presence of synths in its instrumentation. I enjoyed the atmospheric vibe that comes off Say Less’ backing, as well as his ethereal vocals (and accompanying processing) in this track. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.9/10

Teaser image of TAEMIN for ETERNAL

[Review] Poet | Artist – SHINee

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Never did I expect we would hear all five members of SHINee again in a new song. I am sure there are numerous songs that the late JONGHYUN had written and recorded as part of SHINee and as a solo artist that will never see the light of day. But to hear him so clearly in SHINee’s latest song, Poet | Artist, is definitely a treat. The new song forms part of SHINee’s first-ever single album of the same name, which was released to celebrate their 17th anniversary together.

Described as an electro-pop song, Poet | Artist is a pleasant listen. There is a fair amount to appreciate in the new song. Let’s start with the most notable element of Poet | Artist – JONGHYUN himself. I liked that he could be heard substantially throughout the song, such as alongside his fellow members in the chorus and ONEW in another part. It showcases their chemistry and how well SHINee complement each other. He has a solo moment in the bridge, where he scat-sings. The vocal processing in the bridge was interesting, adding a modern flair that complements the rest of the electro-pop instrumentation. Whilst on the topic of instrumentation, it was nicely upbeat and robust, but I did wish it had gone further. Obviously, not to the extent that would detract from Poet | Artist‘s intention. The other members showcase strong vocals themselves throughout Poet | Artist. What I also liked is how they added a dose of sentiment and nostalgia throughout Poet | Artist without it gearing towards overly emotional territory. I did feel that Poet | Artist‘s hooks and melodies felt a bit tight, and I wish both were more relaxed. Overall, a nice and pleasant song from SHINee that showcases the group’s bond as a five-member unit.

The music video for Poet | Artist feels relatively simple, but it sends a lovely message alongside the song. I liked the pastel and golden hues of the music video, which, to me, give the music video its ‘artist’ side. These colour palettes also evoke a nostalgic and sentimental feel, which complements the song’s vocals quite well. In the video, we see the members receive letters that pull them together to celebrate their time together. I also liked how they continue to pay homage to JONGHYUN in the video, particularly at the end, where they all jump up and reach for the sky. Both the letters and the final scene feel quite poetic and symbolic.

SHINee recently performed Poet | Artist at their recent fan meeting over the weekend. From the fancam I watched, I appreciated the incorporation of artistic waves and other movements that complement the upbeat nature of the song. I also like the little groove they have together as a group during the chorus. Some refinement in terms of synchronisation, like in the music video, would have made the routine even more impressive.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 8/10

[Review] CALL BACK – MINHO (SHINee)

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A month has zipped by since MINHO made his solo comeback with the studio album CALL BACK and the title track of the same name. Today, I will finally get to reviewing the title track. This is MINHO’s first solo comeback since his formal solo debut with Chase in 2022.

Chase received a lukewarm review from me when it was released, and my review questioned whether that song was the ‘best foot forward for MINHO’. While it wasn’t mentioned in that review, I had always expected MINHO to release a dance track. CALL BACK seems to be the answer I was seeking. This pop song, which leans into chill R&B territory for me, was decently good. While it wasn’t as prolific or dynamic as I had hoped for, I appreciate the mid-tempo beat and pleasant instrumentation from the piano and guitar riffs featured in the song. His vocals are good and satisfying in CALL BACK. He doesn’t have the strongest set in SHINee, but he holds up well in CALL BACK. The ‘Will it be, Will it be, Will it be you?‘ hook was quite catchy, and I liked how his vocals carried that line. Similar things can be said with the rest of the choruses. The most disappointing aspect of CALL BACK is the lack of raps. We get some sing-rapping in the second verse, but it didn’t go as hard as we know MINHO could execute. Overall, CALL BACK is a better step in the direction I hoped MINHO would explore for his debut.

My take on the video is that MINHO is both waiting for and looking for the person he loves. In the lyrics, he is talking about his phone lighting up and he is hoping that person is contacting him. In the video, he searches for his lover amongst all the cars in the traffic jam. There is also references to him looking for his missing piece via the puzzle he is completing the video. The choreography scenes looked good. I liked how they weaved some of the choreography shots into the storyline. While it isn’t the best example of so, it is still a decent attempt of making everything feel connected.

As for the choreography, I liked it. But I don’t have much to say about it. I particularly enjoyed how MINHO and the dancers moved around the stage. It gave the choreography a cool flow.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 7.5/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.9/10

[Review] Pleasure Shop – KEY (SHINee)

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The other comeback at the start of the week was KEY’s solo comeback with Pleasure Shop, the title of both his latest lead single and mini-album. This is his first solo Korean release since Good & Great released a year ago.

Pleasure Shop starts off with atmospheric synths before it developing into a smooth and groovy house track. I quite enjoyed how seamless this transition sounded. The contrast between atmopsheric and house stands out and has some impact. From there, I really liked the glide the instrumental had. This is particularly emphasised during the choruses, where the melodies and smoothness of the instrumental complement each other nicely. On the topic of the choruses, the most memorable element of the Pleasure Shop‘s centrepiece were the opening line (i.e., the “It’s a, it’s the Pleasure Shop“). I wished the rest of the choruses followed through with a more memorable refrain throughout it. This could have taken Pleasure Shop to a new level, especially since the song retains the smooth and groovy house backing for a large part of the song which raises a potential issue of consistency. What we do get presently is fine, but just not there. Moving on from the choruses, I liked how everything felt a tad heavier in terms of instrumental and KEY’s faster delivery. It doesn’t change up Pleasure Shop a whole lot, but it makes the second verse punchier and cuts through the consistency of the song (resolving that concern mentioned earlier). It also gives KEY some oomph, which pays off. Overall, Pleasure Shop is a good solo track for KEY – it just needed a bit a more to the chorus.

I am not exactly sure is going on in this video. After doing some digging, I found this thread on Reddit, which has this comment (screenshot of the comment below – props to kreasburger!) that explains the video much better than I ever would. Aside from the messaging of the video, I liked the visual effects and post-production of the music video. KEY’s range of outfits is also quite a memorable element in the video. All of these other elements definitely makes for a cool video to watch, even if the story isn’t as intuitive as other videos out there.

As for the performance aspect of the comeback, I really like it. It looks fun and uncomplicated. The moves themselves feel very stylish, which matches the song quite well. The entire second verse portion of the choreography was definitely the highlight. That part definitely goes in hard, on par with how ‘heavy’ that sequence got in Pleasure Shop.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 8.2/10

[Review] Sexy In The Air – TAEMIN (SHINee)

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TAEMIN was another comeback that kicked off the week. He returned for the first time since his Guilty era and leaving SM Entertainment, signing on with BPM Entertainment (home to VIVIZ, HA SUNG WOON, BADVILLAIN and a few others) for his solo work. He will continue with SM Entertainment for SHINee promotions. TAEMIN’s latest title track, Sexy In The Air, is featured on his 5th mini-album, Eternal.

Sexy In The Air is probably the most TAEMIN-coded title to date. We all know when TAEMIN’s appeal is most robust, and I feel like a song titled Sexy In The Air calls out that. Intriguingly, the track can be split into two. The first half features a groovier electronic style that feels trendy and upbeat. The second half leans more toward a hip-hop style. Tied together by the title and lyrics, these halves make for an interesting dynamic. But it works, in my opinion, bringing two sides of TAEMIN into one song. Even the transitional part between the two halves felt very clean. TAEMIN himself does an excellent job with his vocals. I like how we are treated to vocals in both halves of the song. I lowkey would have expected the hip-hop side of the song to have more of a spoken motif. But his vocals on either side of Sexy In The Air were smooth and sultry. The choruses and hooks in the song were catchy, though I would have liked something more developed from TAEMIN. The choruses and hook felt a little too simple and safe, especially for a song that innovates like this one. But I guess putting two distinct styles into Sexy In The Air, where the song can easily be split in half, is a gamble, so having other elements of the song feel safe does help reign it in.

Sexy is indeed in the air throughout TAEMIN’s music video for this comeback. Part of this comes from the choreography we see throughout the video—I will speak to the choreography in the next section of the review. Another part of the sexy appeal is TAEMIN’s charismatic looks and outfits, such as the one in the featured image of this post. I will admit that the clean and crisp feel of SM Entertainment’s music videos is missing in this one (no-brainer as SM Entertainment is not behind this video). But TAEMIN’s presence compensates for that. The man knows how to captivate and does it well in this video.

We all know where TAEMIN excels during his comebacks, and Sexy In The Air doesn’t deviate. His whole choreography routine was just so captivating to watch. From the footwork to the synchronisation to the punchy moves that fit the groovier style from the first half and the bouncy moves that fit in with the hip-hop style in the second half. All of this was amazing to watch. The best part definitely has to dance solo he has at the end of the routine.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 8.5/10
Performance – 10/10
Overall Rating – 8.6/10

[Album Review] Guilty (4th Mini Album) – TAEMIN (SHINee)

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I had intended to wrap up my reviews of 2023 albums (for now) this week with another album (look over my more recent reviews to figure which album that might be). But then I realized I may have overlooked an important comeback from the past year that I should have picked up earlier to review – TAEMIN’s Guilty. I know, I apologies for missing Guilty. But I have slid in Guilty into the agenda this weekend, and move that other album to next weekend. This is TAEMIN’s first mini-album since completing his military list, his last mini-album with SM Entertainment (TAEMIN left SM earlier this year and has signed on with Big Planet Made (BPM) Entertainment) and his fourth Korean mini-album overall. It features the title track of the same name and 5 additional side tracks.

Guilty Album Cover

1. Guilty (Title Track) – Click here for the full review of Guilty. (9/10)

2. The Rizzness – Despite having a questionable name, many listeners unexpectedly like The Rizzness. I am in that group as well, but not exactly to the extent of others. The Rizzness is a much edgier song than usual for TAEMIN, and this attracts attentions. He is known for more aesthetic works, so The Rizzness is very much different for the soloist. The instrumental adds to that ‘difference’ with a bold trap/hip-hop styled drill sound. His vocals definitely smooth out the roughness of the instrumental backing whilst also creating tension with the rest of the song. But I think there could have been some more interesting delivery from TAEMIN to make The Rizzness even more interesting. It is good as it is, but some flair (one way or another) in the vocal department could have made it even better. ICYMI – TAEMIN also released a performance video for The Rizzness. (8/10)

3. She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not – The trap and guitar riffs make this track interesting from the onset. Then comes TAEMIN’s vocals, which is by far the most captivating element and literally carries you onto the journey of She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not. He relies on a breathier tone in some parts to provide a more sensual yet pensive vibe, and amps up other parts with shoutier vocals in other moments to give us some vigor. This illustrates the dilly dally nature of the song’s lyrics and title (which is about realisation of an ending relationship). Clever. Despite the different delivery tactics used, he manages to also maintain a consistent softness and delicateness to the song, which helps give She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not an emotional ad heartbreaking dimension, as well. (9/10)

4. Not Over You (제자리) – Not Over You speaks to the feeling of not being over someone that you had broken up with and the fact the memories of the relationship still too raw. I found the R&B-esque instrumental for Not Over You gives it a calming presence, yet TAEMIN’s vocals were emotive and engaging throughout. I like how the various elements in Not Over You cohesively worked together. A good example of this is the autotune that blends TAEMIN’s vocals with the instrumental during the choruses. I also really liked how deep his vocals got in the bridge of the song. Definitely a gripping moment in Not Over You. (8/10)

5. Night Away (오늘 밤) – Night Away goes for a softer pop track, which features a prominent acoustic guitar presence and some really nice dreamy synth work. The combination of the two makes for a soothing number. TAEMIN’s clear vocals also follows this direction, and does so in a very consistent manner. This consistency isn’t a flaw in the song, as any differentiation in vocals or delivery could have potentially disrupted the flow of the song. (8/10)

6. Blue – My favourite song on this album comes at the end. Blue is just so captivatingly atmospheric. The only way I can fully appreciate Blue is by stopping whatever I am doing and closing my eyes so I can be whisked away. From the synth work to the vintage drums to the guitar work to TAEMIN’s vocals, everything just felt so calming. Refreshing and freeing also comes to my mind when I listen to Blue. I keep on mentioning how good TAEMIN’s vocals are on this album, but I think his delivery here is the best. Just so captivating. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.7/10

Guilty Teaser Image

[Album Review] Good & Great (2nd Mini Album) – KEY (SHINee)

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KEY from SHINee made his comeback in September 2023 with his 2nd mini-album, Good & Great, another album title that shares its name with the title track from the mini-album. In total, 6 songs featured on this mini-album – all of which have now been reviewed in this album review post. Check them out below! Good & Great follows on from KEY’s promotions for Killer that occurred earlier in the year and SHINee’s 15th year anniversary comeback with HARD.

Good & Great Album Cover

1. Good & Great (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for Good & Great. (7/10)

2. Can’t Say Goodbye – KEY goes down the funky and groovy direction with Can’t Say Goodbye. Retro synths were used to lead us down this path. And in combination with KEY’s vocals, which were really clear in Can’t Say Goodbye, you have a very nostalgic and enjoyable track. The instrumental break was really great, conforming with the retro groove and funk direction quite easily but also breaking up the song to not sound overly consistent. The deep percussion that leads into the final chorus was also pretty good at this, as well. (9/10)

3. Intoxicating – Continuing on that groovy direction is Intoxicating. It really embraces the grooviness, and does so with a more mature vibe, which I am totally digging. KEY nails the vocal component of Intoxicating, helping to bringing that mature vibe to life. I really liked how he soars in the chorus and his ad-libs in the final moments, which instantly takes the track to a whole new level. My biggest gripe about the song is that it felt a little too consistent throughout. I just wished there was something in Intoxicating to offset that. (8.5/10)    

4. Live Without You – That deep vibrating sound in the back serves up an intriguing start to Live Without You. And if you know me, that attracts my attention. The verses add in a consistent percussive beat, but also a decelerating pre-chorus. Interesting indeed. Come to the chorus, we get some light guitar riffs and bubbly synths to the mix. And as a recurring theme, KEY showcases his vocal abilities once again, especially in the chorus. I also like how KEY opts for a lower register for the bridge. All of this makes Live Without You a moodier (relative to the other songs on this mini-album) and almost angsty track. (9/10)

5. CoolAs – CoolAs is a total vibe. I LOVE the delivery of CoolAs, with KEY casual vocals and the more spoken delivery of the chorus. It is bold without being bold. The instrumentation opts back to the groovy motif that we heard earlier on this mini-album, but it feels a lot more subtle but also concentrated. I can totally imagine a really sassy dance routine where KEY and the dancers have a straight face on, but their movements and body totally is taken over by the energy that comes from CoolAs. And it is done in a way that is not comedic or taken lightly. (10/10)  

6. Mirror, Mirror – The final track on this mini-album is titled Mirror, Mirror. It is a track that KEY penned himself, and you can feel that with how raw his vocals get in this track. The instrumental takes on an R&B profile, and I enjoyed how peaceful this track feels following on the more energy filled tracks that we had before this one. I like how the melodies elicit that swaying effect here, as well, without trying too hard. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.6/10

Good & Great Teaser Image

[Weekly KPOP Chart] 1st Week of November 2023

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Welcome back to the Weekly KPOP Charts, this time for the 1st Week of November 2023. Sorry that this post is a week delayed. Hence, it is a super short post. ICYMI – the 2023 KPOPREVIEWED’s launched this past week with the nominations announced on 5 November and KPOPREVIEWED’s Choice on 10 November. Voting will begin on the 15 November 2023, so keep your eyes open for the post with the link to vote! Other than that, back to the usual transmissions of post from later today!

Recap of the 1st Week of November 2023

Here is a recap of what I posted:

  • song reviews for a new release (NiziU’s HEARTRIS, TAEMIN’s Guilty, VIVIZ’s MANIAC and Golden Child’s Feel Me),
  • song reviews for older releases (tripleS’ Rising), and
  • album reviews for TREASURE’s REBOOT.

Joining all those new releases above this week are the following songs:

  • Trust Yourself – Jeong Inseong (KNK)
  • X.O.X – Moon Jongup
  • ONLY FUN – XODIAC
  • Algorithm – Heejin (ARTMS)
  • YOUTH!!! – CATCH THE YOUNG
  • Screen Time – EPIK HIGH ft. HOSHI (SEVENTEEN)
  • Signal – Roa (Rocking Doll)
  • On My Youth – WayV
  • VROOM VROOM – Weeekly
  • INDEPENDENT WOMAN – eite
  • NEVERLAND – NINE.i
  • LIFE – Kim Feel
  • ROSETTA – pH-1 ft. MILLI
  • Standing Next To You – Jung Kook (BTS)
  • MEGAPHONE – CRAVITY

The Charts

Congratulations to TAEMIN and his comeback single Guilty for debuting at the top of my Weekly KPOP Charts for the 1st Week of November 2023. For more of the charts, keep on scrolling down below.

Pos.SongArtistChange
1GuiltyTAEMIN (SHINee)(NEW)
2God of MusicSEVENTEEN(▼ 1)
3HEARTRISNiziU(NEW)
4Screen TimeEPIK HIGH ft. HOSHI (SEVENTEEN)(NEW)
5AlgorithmHeejin (ARTMS)(NEW)
6VROOM VROOMWeeekly(NEW)
7YOUTH!!!CATCH THE YOUNG(NEW)
8Fact CheckNCT 127(▲ 10)
9Feel MeGolden Child(NEW)
10Top or CliffKim Sejeong(▲ 36)
11TROUBLEEVNNE(▲ 6)
12SomebodyD.O (EXO)(▲ 79)
13HeartDAWN(▲ 54)
14Love ItYOUNITE(▲ 2)
15MANIACVIVIZ(NEW)
16Love EffectONF(▲ 24)
17fBobby (iKON)(▲ 74)
18Listen To The SongPark Boram(▲ 73)
19VoyageKim Sejeong(▲ 31)
20So I DancedDPR IAN(▲ 71)
21Chasing That FeelingTXT(▼ 14)
22I Love My BodyHWASA (MAMAMOO)(▼ 8)
23BaddieIVE(▼ 10)
24C’monJINI ft. Aminé(▲ 9)
25You & MeJENNIE (BLACKPINK)(▼ 10)
26BYOB (bring your own best friend)Billlie(▲ 65)
27nothing butYoung K (DAY6)(▲ 2)
28Get A GuitarRIIZE(▲ 63)
29Talk SaxyRIIZE(▼ 23)
30Either WayIVE(▲ 25)

Songs leaving the charts

The following songs have wrapped up their nine week run in the charts system, and will no longer be on the charts from next week:

[Review] Guilty – TAEMIN (SHINee)

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After over a 2 year hiatus as a solo artist (due to his mandatory military enlistment), TAEMIN is officially back with a brand new mini-album and title track, both of which are titled Guilty. The last time we heard from TAEMIN (as a solo artist) is through his Advice comeback in 2021. More recently, following the completion of his military enlistment, TAEMIN did return as part of SHINee’s comeback HARD from earlier on in this year.

Haunting is how I would personally describe Guilty. And it does that from the very first second, thanks to the instrumentation. The mix of some low beats and orchestral elements makes Guilty super atmospheric and evocative. The orchestral elements also adds a striking component to the song, at the same time. This in combination with TAEMIN’s vocals creates quite a piece. TAEMIN captivates with his singing in Guilty. For the most part, he sings in a slow and dragged out manner. It feels sensual and sultry, which is a style that we know that TAEMIN does best. We also get some powerful moments from TAEMIN via high notes and some stronger and really heavenly vocal work at other points in Guilty. The second verse also features some rapping from the soloist, which fits in amazingly well, and some deep whispery vocals in the pre-choruses that adds to that haunting vibe that I mentioned at the start of this section. Guilty is also definitely well-produced, with a lot of thought put towards the planning of when the vocals or instrumental comes into play. This just makes Guilty even more riveting and captivating to listen to, overall. If I had to be critical about something, I would have like more memorable melodies. But honestly, the music and vocals take care of that side of things for Guilty anyway.

The music video features a zombie-esque storyline (how fitting for the day before Halloween). But rather than it being gory and another horror conceptualized music video (beware – there is still some of this, like the emerging hands that looks like it was going to bend his neck just before the first chorus, but we are shown soon after that TAEMIN is just jerking around like zombie and TAEMIN’s zombie bite mark which he digs his fingers into), there is actually more to the video than just brain eating zombies. The zombie virus shown in the video is compared to the idea of selfish love portrayed in the lyrics of Guilty, where it causing pain to the other person while claiming it as one’s own way of loving (taken from SOOMPI). It is definitely a different and unexpected take on something that is quite terrifying and it keeps it quite terrifying. TAEMIN’s acting in this video is superb, with the zombie-like jerking throughout the video and the emotions you can see on his face when he is stilled and thinking about his lover.

If what we see in the music video is the choreography (i.e., the jerky movements that we saw during first chorus), then this is going to be a routine that you do not want to miss. It feels very artistic and contemporary. The ‘arm under the shirt’ move brings a sensual vibe to the table, which I thought looks very cool. The rest of the routine that we did see in the music video also captures the music quite well. For now, I am giving it a 9/10, just because it is unknown what the entire routine will look like. But it can be an easy 10/10 should the stage performance for Guilty replicate all of what we see in the music video (and I will return to update the review accordingly if that is the case).

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 10/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 9.3/10

[Album Review] HARD (8th Studio Album) – SHINee

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Next album on the blog to be reviewed is SHINee’s HARD, their 8th studio album that celebrates the group’s 15th anniversary since their debut in 2008. The studio album features a total of 10 tracks, including the title track HARD and the pre-release track The Feeling (which I have binging as part of the preparations and writing for this review). For me, I found the album to be a mix bag of tracks – some of them were very good (and most songs on HARD leaned towards this end of the spectrum), whilst some others were rather weak. Find out where the side tracks lie on the spectrum down below.

HARD Album Cover

1. HARD (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for HARD. (8/10)

2. JUICE – JUICE is quite overwhelming from the first second, with so much going on in the instrumentation alongside the vocals. The track is obviously designed to be bold and ‘hit hard’ from the first second, but it just took over and it all sounded jarring. As JUICE progresses, the EDM and hip-hop song does settle a bit and becomes a little more appreciable. However, it does feel like it could become too much at any moment. The different detailing in the instrumentation already, along with the softer direction of the bridge does turn JUICE into a messy affair, and I guess I wished there be more cohesion in the track. On a more positive note, the members do sound quite good with their bold vocals in the chorus, and the hooks are definitely all there. (6.5/10)

3. 10X – Following on from JUICE is 10X, which production is much more streamlined and cleaner. The breathy vocals throughout the chorus or MINHO’s deeper vocal repetition, along with the jazzy influence from the piano, makes 10X so groovy. I had a hard time getting this track out of my head. (9/10)

4. Satellite – Satellite is such a smooth number, one that I can listen to again and again. The vocals at the start and throughout the chorus just brings the members together so well. The vocals elsewhere in the track follows a similar direction and each member sounds so good in the song. I also really loved the wavy flow of Satellite that just propels the song forward. Altogether, you have one dreamy track in Satellite. (10/10)

5. Identity – The synth instrumentation here makes Identity interesting. There is a funkiness to the song that is a good starting point in making this track. The flourishes help liven up the track and creates a dynamic piece. Some of them are quite punchy, as well. The vocal work follows a similar set up as per Satellite, with the members singing individually in the verses and all the members coming together in the chorus. In both cases, the vocals are tenacious, which makes it a strong track. (9/10)

6. The Feeling (Pre-Release Track) – Click here to read the full review for The Feeling. (9/10)

7. Like It – Just like in Identity, the funkiness in the instrumental starts off Like It strongly. But it is the shrilly-like synth in the chorus that really makes the song pop out. The electric guitar at the end was also a really nice touch. Like It is the type of track you expect to hear on the dance floor, and I would gladly dance along to the music should I ever hear it pop up. The vocals, particularly in the chorus, felt nostalgic and were definitely a solid effort from the members. The melodies and hooks were quite pleasant, as well. Another strong track, overall. (9/10)

8. Sweet Misery – Sweet Misery could have been a stunner. Vocally, I quite liked where the song was going. I really love the wispy and soft ‘Sweet Misery’ in the chorus, which I find to be an iconic aspect of the track. The rest of the vocals that follow through in the chorus were nicely done, as well. The verses were sounded so good, as well. But the instrumentation in the latter parts of the choruses does overwhelm Sweet Misery and detract it away from what should have been a vocally beautiful track. (6.5/10)

9. Insomnia (불면증) – Insomnia enters R&B territory with a sensual and smooth number. I really like the jazzier moments in the instrumentation. SHINee has proved themselves vocally with R&B numbers in the past, and they do it again in Insomnia. The harmonies add to the appeal of the track, while the rapping parts keep the song interesting and intriguing. (8/10)

10. Gravity – The final song on this album is Gravity. It is a soft pop track, with the members’ vocal work and melodies feeling so comforting and inviting. I like how the members add to the softness of the track, by keeping the vocal work consistent through and through. The only exception “Gravity Gravity” pierces through the softness, creating a bold moment in the song that keys the song’s title and hook into your head. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.3/10

HARD Teaser Image

[Review] Good & Great – KEY (SHINee)

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Making his comeback yesterday with his second mini-album and title track (both of which share the same name), Good & Great, is KEY from SHINee. This makes KEY’s second release of the year following his February comeback with Killer. KEY also participated in SHINee’s May comeback, HARD.

While Good & Great is a good song, it isn’t a great song. Out of all the title tracks that KEY has released as part of his solo career, Good & Great is probably his dullest number to date. I was waiting for the song to really pick up and exude some energy, but that never really occurred. Instead, it just kept to a plateau and never deviated from what had already preceded it. Good & Great does have charm and it does fits KEY’s profile super well. But it just doesn’t go anywhere. I must admit I had high hopes, when the song first began. The start and first verse of Good & Great laid out the path for a groovy tone and some awesome bass, both of which definitely continued throughout the song. KEY’s delivery of the first verse make its super engaging. Even throughout the first half of the chorus, I was on board. But where I had expected Good & Great to pick up (i.e., in the second half of the central piece), we never really get there. Instead, the song opts for a very subdued and melodic repeat of the song’s title. It sounded nice and adds to the smoothness of the song, but it just dulls the song and it doesn’t take Good & Great to the next level. Similarly, the bridge suffered the same problem and just didn’t come off a memorable moment when it should have been. Aside from the groovy instrumentation, the rapping in the second verse was definitely a highlight and adds an extra something to the otherwise melodic and smooth track. But overall, my opening statement to this section of the review stands quite firmly.

KEY speaks a message of self-praise in every day life to help get oneself through another day. In the video, he is depicted of a hard working office worker, who lives a very dull life of just continuous grind – sometimes working through the night to appease the higher ups. But just like everyone else in the world, he still desires for a break and to do something different, and his different is to find the furry creature (which I find totally cute). And taking that break is absolutely okay. There is a sense of wackiness to the video, which makes it an interesting watch. This helps liven up the video so that it doesn’t seem as dull as it sounds. And I super appreciate that.

The choreography goes for a more simplistic approach, but I quite like the looks of it. There is still sharp execution and a very KEY feel that does add some complexity to the routine. There is also a fun vibe in the verses from the parts that I could see, which complements the messaging of the song/music video.

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.5/10

[Album Review] Circle (1st Studio Album) – ONEW (SHINee)

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ONEW’s first solo studio album since his debut back in 2009 is the focus of today’s album review. The album itself was released back in March of this year, alongside the title track O (Circle). It also features nine additional tracks. Circle follows last year’s DICE mini-album release, which earned the award of Best Album of 2022 in the 2022 KPOPREVIEWED Awards.

Based on ONEW’s past album works and his contribution to SHINee’s releases, it should be expected that this album, and any of his releases, are of a high calibre. And this was definitely the case for Circle. 9 out of the 10 songs on this album are rated super high (with that one other song still being a solid number). And this earns the album a recommended stamp, so do check out the album if you haven’t done so just yet. I am sure you will find a song that you will like (if not all of them) on it.

Circle Album Cover

1. O (Circle) (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for O (Circle). (8.5/10)

2. Cough (환절기) – Cough captivates with its simple acoustic guitar instrumentation, which helps bring the mid-tempo pop number to life. There isn’t much to it, with less meaning more being demonstrated in this number. ONEW’s deep vocals was stilling and gripping, and I found myself unconsciously swaying along to the soft beats when I really listen to the song. Altogether, it is a beautiful number and the first 10/10 song on the album. (10/10)

3. Rain On Me (우중산책) – Acoustic guitars continue onwards in Rain On Me and I quite like how they are the main piece at the start and ending of the song. The drum beat (and rest of the instrumentation – i.e., electric guitar, strings etc.) that kicks in later on gives the ballad some oomph, which I also appreciated. As for ONEW, I really liked how breathy he gets in the chorus, which makes for another stunning showing of delicate vocals from the soloist and SHINee leader. (9/10)

4. Caramel (ft. Giriboy) – Caramel is a jazzy pop number, bringing a beat back into the album. ONEW’s vocals shine once again in Caramel. I really enjoyed the melodies he brings to life in this song, which felt like a vibe and gave this jazzy number a reason for me to come back for more. The scat was cool and he also brings a sense of smoothness to Caramel based on the way he ends the choruses. The mouth trumpet was a really cool addition, and felt very unique. Giriboy did add in some rapping into the mix, but I think the Caramel could have done without the rapping with everything else going on in it. (9/10)

5. Anywhere – Anywhere is the one song that I have enjoyed listening to on repeat since its release and cannot get enough of it. Anywhere takes us into funky territory with a subtle undertone from the bass from a keyboard. With the synths building on this, this track has such a cool retro atmosphere. Paired with ONEW’s falsetto, Anywhere is the next 10/10 song on this album. (10/10)

6. Paradise – Paradise brings a smile to my face. I really enjoy the playfulness of the instrumentation and ONEW’s vocals in this number. While praise for ONEW’s vocals will be a constant theme in this review (just in case you haven’t noticed this just yet), his vocals at the start of the bridge and his ad-libs just come off so effortless and I like that aspect of this song. (9/10)

7. Expectations – Expectations is a mid-tempo pop track, with some unique and different synth details to it between each key segment. I did like the synth choices and the beat of the song. But together, the song felt a bit bare and empty, which I wish was not the case. (7/10)  

8. No Parachute – Probably the album’s quirkiest number, No Parachute is an indie pop track that stands out for its unique instrumentation and delivery of the word ‘Parachute’. I like its mature and serious tone, the rhythmic beat, the multi-use of the acoustic guitar and ONEW’s solid vocals. (9/10)

9. Walk With You (기억을 걷다) – To me, Walk With You feels like a track I would want to listen to on a nice sunny day where I am out in about. Extra points if I the song pops up when I am walking on a nature trail or somewhere that is very nature forward. Having Walk With You on the background on such a day would feel very comforting. I put this down to both the subtle tropical/summery instrumentation and ONEW’s vocals. (8/10)

10. Always (보통의 밤) – The final song on this album is Always. It ends the 10-track album with a ballad. It features a very nice piano instrumentation and ONEW sounds heavenly in this track. Once again, he manages to captivate me and this alone helps deliver a solid ending to this amazing album. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.8/10

Circle Teaser Image

[Review] HARD – SHINee

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Here I am with my first review since returning from my week off. You know I have to start with the biggest comeback from last week – SHINee’s grand return to the KPOP scene with their 8th studio album and title track, both titled HARD. The group previously pre-released The Feeling a few weeks back, raising the excitement for this comeback. HARD also celebrates the group’s 15th anniversary since their debut back in 2008 with Replay, one of the most iconic and legendary KPOP debut songs that have stood the test of time. Unfortunately, only three members (Key, Minho & Taemin) promoted the comeback on stage, with Onew sitting out due to health issues.

My first impression of HARD was that it felt too hip-hop oriented for SHINee. It actually sounded more like a NCT release than a SHINee release, and I wasn’t exactly sure what I honestly thought about that. But as usual, the power of multiple listens since its release has helped HARD grow on for me. I still don’t see the SHINee influence, but I find HARD to be strongly executed (as one expects when it comes to a SHINee comeback) and its production and energy to be one of the strongest points of the track. I really liked how ‘hard’ the track ended up going in the hip-hop direction, especially when it came to the choruses. The choruses kick off with an anti-drop and whispery vocal approach, which help builds anticipation to the second half, which is where the energy peaks and HARD feels very hype, 90s and punchy. There is also a catchy appeal to the chorus here. KEY’s take on the whispery half of the chorus was the best version in the song, while Minho’s execution of the second half during the second run at the central piece was my standout. As for the verses, they were not as memorable. They contain a bit of the hip-hop influence in its backing, with the first verse pairing it off with piano flourishes and the second verse doesn’t do too much else than electronic elements. The piano flourishes gives HARD a trendy dynamic and allows the song to dip into a melodic mode for the pre-choruses and bridge. Vocally, the group doesn’t miss a beat and delivery another strong track. Unsurprisingly, they do branch out into a rap-like territory, which allows them to fit more neatly into the hip-hop driven HARD. While this hip-hop side of SHINee is a bit foreign to me still, HARD has grown immensely on me.

As for the music video, I felt like the video had that SHINee artistic flair, which fits it neatly into the SHINee videography. The sets look quite cool, such as the twisty piano keys structure and the broken/smashed piano set. The stylists did an amazing job with their outfits for this comeback. It had a modern flair, but felt very appropriate for the 90s hip-hop music influence. It is also nice to see ONEW make an appearance in the video alongside the other three members, albeit not as much in the choreography side of the video. I do hope he is doing okay.

A strong performance rounds out this comeback. They really embraced the hip-hop influence of the song in the choreography. I really liked the routine for the choruses, starting off with small and softer movements to fit with the whispery vocal approach and then stepping it up with a bouncy on-the-spot bop in the second half where the music was livelier and hype-like.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 8/10

[Album Review] Killer (2nd Studio Album Repackaged) – KEY (SHINee)

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Following on from the release and promotion of KEY’s second studio album GASOLINE in August 2022, KEY made his solo comeback earlier in February 2023 with the repackaged album of the second studio album, retitled as KILLER. The repackaged album features all the songs from the GASOLINE studio album (including the original title track of the same name) and three new singles, one of which serves as the title track and is also titled KILLER. Today’s review obviously focuses on the new additions to KEY’s second studio album. However, if you want to view the original album review for KEY’s second studio album (there are a few amazing nuggets on there), do check it out via the links above.

The new singles featured on KILLER are consistently great, each earning the same rating based on my scales. But each single just does not feel right with a perfect rating, hence the consistent ratings of and average of 9/10 for the new songs. When considering the entirety of the GASOLINE and KILLER era, the consistent 9/10 ratings for the new songs actually help bring the overall album rating (of 14 songs) to 8.7/10, which is still ‘great’ territory.

KILLER Album Cover

1. KILLER (Title Track) – Click here for the full review of KILLER. (9/10)

2. Heartless – Heartless incorporates a serious bout of rock into the album, but does so in a playful manner that feels nostalgic. I do like how the song goes between seriousness and fun, creating a unique range that we don’t see that much in the confines of a particular song. The seriousness comes through most intensely during the moments when KEY is rapping, while the playful comes through the most during the song’s most melodic sections like the pre-choruses and choruses. In terms of execution, Heartless is a successful song and a highlight of the repackaged album. (9/10)

6. Easy – The third and final new song on the repackaged album is Easy. This track is a lot moodier, compared to the previous song. The track is a mid-tempo pop song a consistent atmospheric instrumentation, accented by dramatic thumping beats. Both these combined to create an alluring piece. KEY’s vocals complement this instrumental piece quite well, creating a captivating listen. I also really liked how his vocals soars in the song. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating (including the songs from the GASOLINE album) – 8.7/10

KILLER Teaser Image