A Ok-pop act’s title observe isn’t all the time the most effective tune on their album, even when it’s the one most individuals will hear. Generally, b-sides deserve recognition too. Within the singles-oriented world of Ok-pop, I need to highlight a few of these buried treasures and provides them the props they deserve.

With a (efficiency?) video nonetheless attainable for Taemin’s second title observe Horizon, I’m going to carry off on writing about that tune for some time and deal with my different favourite second on his new album. The funky Crush nods most intently to his work with SHINee and paints him within the ultra-rhythmic celebrity mode I like greatest.

From the album sampler, I already knew Crush can be a private spotlight. I simply can’t get sufficient of those retro funk hits, almost definitely because of my early historical past with (and enduring love of) artists like Michael Jackson and Prince. In some ways, Crush recollects SHINee’s 2021 b-side I Actually Need You. The tune doesn’t kick up fairly the identical fury, however the guitar-led refrain lays down a equally nimble groove.

Let’s discuss that refrain, as a result of my favourite second in Crush occurs mid-way by its centerpiece when the association beefs up and extra backing vocals add a jolt of concord to the hook. It’s a easy — however very efficient — strategy to truss up a comparatively easy melody and requires absolute star energy to totally click on. Taemin is nothing if not star energy personified, and the manufacturing does every thing it could possibly to raise this power.

Grade: B+