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 may anticipate from the season, the observe has a brighter aesthetic.
Whereas summer season was once a time of bounding, energetic title tracks, I’ve observed a cooldown over the previous seven years. Groovier, downbeat fare has turn out to be simply as fashionable 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 may really feel languid and drowsy. Nevertheless, “languid and drowsy” is certainly not how I favor my pop music.
Confidence casts its laidback vibe proper at the beginning and by no means strays from that straightforward groove. This isn’t a track of peaks and valleys. It’s merely the sound of Onew’s voice gliding by 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 nearly like improvisation. Followers of this model might be very happy, however for me a track like Confidence wafts in a single ear and out the opposite.
| Hooks | 6 |
| Manufacturing | 7 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7 |
Grade: C-
