NCT’s Jaehyun not too long ago accomplished his navy service and will likely be becoming a member of 127 for his or her comeback later this summer season. Earlier than that, he’s again with new solo monitor 99 Levels — a stark, emotive ballad with R&B aptitude.

It takes a number of key elements for me to get pleasure from a ballad. As I’ve stated many occasions earlier than, you both want a killer melody, standout efficiency or dynamic association. There are few ballads in Okay-pop that characteristic all three of those parts, particularly given the business’s present love of “vibes” over virtuosic performances. With Jaehyun on the heart of 99 Levels, the tune depends most on his standout efficiency. As typical, his vocals are charming and distinctive and it’s good to listen to them stretch out over an underproduced ballad like this.

Alternatively, 99 Levels‘ melodies are fairly flat and the association hardly ever builds to something of notice. The tune climbs to a semi-climax towards the top, however appears hesitant to push over the sting. What we find yourself with is a positive return from a voice we’ve missed, setting the stage for extra dynamic materials to come back. Nevertheless, I don’t know that I’d have a lot cause to return to 99 Levels by itself.

Grade: C-