After coming back from the army, Baekhyun (largely) parted methods with SM Leisure and arrange his personal label INB100. He’s not the primary SM artist to take action, and sure gained’t be the final. With this newfound freedom, he’s made his lengthy awaited comeback with the synth grooves of Pineapple Slice.

this track title, the very first thing that popped into my thoughts was Tove Lo’s (filthy!) observe of the identical identify. This may occasionally have inadvertently coloured expectations, however Baekhyun’s tackle the title is much extra tame. The glistening manufacturing sees him making an attempt on his greatest Weeknd impression, even borrowing a few of that singer’s iconic vocal tics. His voice works properly towards the rubbery synth tones. The instrumental bends and pulses simply as typically as his personal efficiency, crafting a observe that feels continuously in movement.

If something, I want Pineapple Slice went tougher. It’s fairly subdued all through, particularly as we transfer into the pre-chorus. Baekhyun delivers loads of vocal firepower within the track’s second half, bringing issues to a pure climax. Nevertheless, a track like this requires fixed aptitude. The beat may very well be sooner, the synths may very well be sharper and the melodies may very well be extra dynamic. In different phrases, all the fitting substances are right here… they only have to be kicked up from an eight to a ten to offer us the total celebrity expertise.

Grade: B