Bigbang’s Daseung has been plugging away at his solo profession throughout the previous few years, however his most notable flip got here as a visitor artist on G-Dragon’s chart-topping House Candy House. The thirst for a Bigbang comeback is actual, even when it means seeing the group as a trio. Whereas we await that risk, Daesung is again with a brand new mini album and title monitor Universe. Shockingly, it’s his first Korean mini album after nineteen years of being within the business!

The primary phrase most individuals will think about when listening to Daesung’s identify is “voice,” and he makes use of that mighty vocal to gasoline Universe‘s uplifting rock sound. The monitor is nearly spiritual in its fervor, beginning large and solely escalating from there. Energy percussion collides with electrical guitar to forge a larger-than-life sound, matching the depth of Daesung’s efficiency. He actually will get going throughout the pre-chorus and into the refrain, belting out the melodies with addictive confidence.

I don’t suppose Universe is as robust a music as its manufacturing and efficiency counsel, however I’ll take the bombast anyway. The melodies are considerably forgettable, although the refrain has a pleasant ascending line. These sort of chugging, fists-in-the-air anthems typically really feel a bit canned and typically even patronizing. It’s to Daesung’s credit score that his sheer power of character and simple expertise are robust sufficient to interrupt free from that constraint.

Grade: B