After taking an extended break from the K-pop industry, Kang Daniel has returned with the release of his first mini album. Never mind that two-fifths of the EP is a repackage of his November single. It’s good to have him back, and hopefully with a renewed strength in mental health. New title track 2U sees him return to the subdued r&b of his 2019 solo debut, buoyed by a production and songwriting assist from popular hip-hop/r&b artist Chancellor.
Like Touchin’, 2U is indebted to its sense of groove. The difference is in the song’s energy. 2U is laid-back and smooth – rhythmic but never hard-hitting. The instrumental gets plenty of mileage from its plucky synth loop and steady percussion, even as I long for more modulation. This relatively simple production throws full spotlight on Daniel’s performance, and he’s up for the challenge. The main vocal track borrows too heavily from the kind of processing favored by BTS and TXT lately, but his performance is wrapped in airy layers of backing vocals that really help to give it some heft.
Melodically, 2U rests heavily on its breezy chorus, which becomes more sneakily addictive each time it circles around. It’s nothing earth-shattering, but its sense of cool restraint fits Daniel well. There’s something refreshingly old-school about 2U’s straightforward r&b approach. It would have been easy to turn this into some horrible trap dirge with sharp, lurching synth chords simulating angst. But, 2U takes a more timeless route (minus the vocal effects, obviously!).
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8 |
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The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I know this is Off-Topic but can you do a review on Fiction by Beast . That is my favorite K-pop song of all time with TheChaser(Infinite) and I love You(2NE1). Oh, also can you make one for I love you. and also I need U
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You cannot do it if you dont want to also.
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these should all be in Nick’s top ten songs by groups posts. like, Fiction will be in his top ten songs by BEAST post, same for I love you in his top 10 songs by 2NE1
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thank you so much
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This is the kind of song that is popular because it is popular. There is nothing wrong with it much at all, a straight forward old school R&B track. It sounds like a song I would hear at Target or the supermarket. It doesn’t break new ground, or gain or lose fans, just adds to the au courant ambiance of contemporary pop music.
Actually, I think they dialed down the vocal effects down from 11 to 6 or 7, which is a nice change. I can actually hear a bit of timbre in there.
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The total rating should be 8, not 7.75
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Oh jeez… thanks. This is the second time in two weeks I’ve done this! Our collective minds are way too scattered right now, I guess.
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What do you think about the b-side track Jealous? That’s my favorite track 🙂 Do listen to it.
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