It’s BTS week, which suggests new releases aside from that album have been fairly rare. Nonetheless, one other world-conquering Okay-pop group has a deal with of their very own. Stray Children’ Hyunjin launched solo observe Lover on his birthday alongside a lo-fi music video. For an act with as a lot cachet as they’ve, most of Stray Children’ work hasn’t ventured previous full group materials. It’s attention-grabbing to listen to a member sort out a tune all their very own.
So as to add to the enchantment, Hyunjin composed Lover‘s lyrics and co-composed the music itself. Whenever you consider self-producers inside the group, he’s not the title that instantly stands out. His sonic perspective on this tune owes rather a lot to present tendencies. Male popstars of our period appear to like this sludgy trap-infused sound. I’ve discovered it fairly claustrophobic and boring from the start, however now that this particular musical salad has develop into the default for a lot 2020s music it barely elicits a response in any respect.
Hyunjin croons in the next pitch than anticipated, giving his vocals a tough, unpolished aptitude. His efficiency has a equally warped, slurred impact because the instrumental, making Lover sound tortured. The melodies are largely repetitions of the identical phrasing time and again, including to the monotony of the tune. It’s clear that that is the aesthetic Hyunjin was aiming for and I’m glad he acquired to flex his abilities. Nonetheless, the tune is just not for me in any respect.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Manufacturing | 7 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 6 |
| RATING | 6.75 |
Grade: D+