DAY6 solo tasks have largely left me chilly, and that’s really true for lots of bands. Except a member strikes out on their very own with a vastly totally different sound, solo work can usually really feel like a lesser model of what the complete band gives. I haven’t written about a solo monitor from keyboardist Wonpil since 2022, however at the back of my thoughts I nonetheless need him to launch one thing that takes full benefit of these keyboard expertise.

Highs And Lows (사랑병동) opens with some crunchy electronics, however largely seems like a DAY6 track. I occur to take pleasure in Wonpil’s vocal, so a DAY6 track with solely his voice is a high-quality proposition, and there are moments within the monitor that give him transient probabilities to noodle round on the keys. Nonetheless, as an entire Highs And Lows sticks firmly inside a rock template. It’s large, cathartic and bolstered by loads of guitar. To his credit score, this doesn’t really feel like some hole, cut-and-paste Think about Dragons riff. Regardless of missing his bandmates, it seems like a collaborative work with each component in place and turned as much as ’10’.

The anthemic refrain works fairly properly. It’s not amongst DAY6’s most stirring works, however has a way of carry that provides loads of satisfaction. I’m extra intrigued by the keyboards that are available simply after this section and need all the monitor might vogue itself round this extra idiosyncratic manufacturing. But when we’re not going to get that, I’m happy sufficient to take pleasure in Highs And Lows‘ emotional heft and bombastic execution.

Grade: B-