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 based mostly 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 may count on from the season, the observe has a brighter aesthetic.
Whereas summer season was a time of bounding, energetic title tracks, I’ve seen a cooldown over the previous seven years. Groovier, downbeat fare has grow to be simply as well-liked 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 infinite string of summer season days can even really feel languid and drowsy. Nonetheless, “languid and drowsy” is unquestionably not how I choose my pop music.
Confidence casts its laidback vibe proper initially and by no means strays from that straightforward 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 style that feels virtually like improvisation. Followers of this model will likely 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-