Since going their separate methods for solo promotions, no SHINee member has been as musically prolific as Onew. This isn’t what I might have anticipated primarily based on previous historical past, however he’s been churning out materials with nice consistency. Subsequent up is summer season single Confidence, pre-released forward of this third full album subsequent month. As you would possibly anticipate from the season, the observe has a brighter aesthetic.
Whereas summer season was once a time of bounding, energetic title tracks, I’ve seen a cooldown over the previous seven years. Groovier, downbeat fare has turn into simply as standard as these nice Duble Sidekick-esque bops of the previous. I suppose this captures the duality of summer season. As thrilling as it may be, an countless string of summer season days may really feel languid and drowsy. Nonetheless, “languid and drowsy” is certainly not how I choose my pop music.
Confidence casts its laidback vibe proper firstly and by no means strays from that easy groove. This isn’t a music of peaks and valleys. It’s merely the sound of Onew’s voice gliding by way of a light-weight mattress of coffeehouse-ready muzak. Even when he strikes right into a stunning rap verse, it’s delivered in a cast-off, lackadaisical trend that feels virtually like improvisation. Followers of this type might be more than happy, however for me a music like Confidence wafts in a single ear and out the opposite.
| Hooks | 6 |
| Manufacturing | 7 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7 |
Grade: C-
