NCT’s Taeyong has released solo work before, but today marks the debut of his first solo album. I’m surprised more NCT members haven’t promoted as soloists. After all, there are so many guys to choose from!
To be honest, I didn’t have high hopes for Shalala (샤랄라). Taeyong’s moments in NCT’s tracks tend to drive me away. For better or worse, he’s often in charge of the songs’ most earwormy elements. And, Shalala is composed entirely of them.
If I listen to this song with positive bias, I might compare it to the groundbreaking, anything-goes hip-hop of Missy Elliott and Timbaland. The production certainly strives for invention, delivering an interesting blend of diverse percussion that forges a brittle groove. Its bones are strong, though I would love to hear a contrasting tone (stabs of bright synth, maybe?).
Unfortunately, I’m not a fan of Taeyong’s delivery. While he has his own style, I find the constant mugging and vocal fry unpleasant to listen to. This is very subjective, but it makes Shalala a tough listen. I wish I could enjoy it more than I do — especially given its dynamic production.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 6 |
| RATING | 7.5 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
As someone who tends to love Taeyong’s delivery, I like this! An 8 or so.
But that acid trip he did with Hitchhiker’s still better though. pew pew pew bingeul bingeul round
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that is certainly a song… i guess.
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yeah the production is the highlight of this track…
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song is alright, mv is super cool
anyway, i just have to highlight this song im just fascinated by for how godawful it is. it might be the worst song of 2020 (if episode’s open my door didn’t exist)
an incredibly generic future bass song made even worse by the lead singer’s off-key, “drunk guy at the bar” singing. the melody also sounds like the world’s worst drinking song. if i reviewed it, i would give this score
hooks: 5
production: 5
longevity: 6
bias: 3
rating: 4.5 (F)
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This song sounds like the answer to the question “How many samples from 90’s era hip hop do you want to use?” = Yes. All of them.
The tempo change is nice and clever. It sounds like it genuinely slows down right at about 2:30 to a different tempo, but really it is just downshifting into a half time section so it can pop right back into regular time a half-verse later.
The rest of it sounds about 2:50 too long. (… = for a 3:20 song, meaning it sounds like a long form auto-play ad for Coca-cola or something.)
Off topic:
I am crushing on the Kassy “Crush on You” song out today, because it sounds like alt-IU bright and fresh and earnest. Also, the song features a genuine and surprising modulation which just goes there unannounced, just casually shifts as if it is nothing at all. It’s at 0:26 and again when that section repeats. And then a key change for the final chorus at about 2:10. Yasss. There it is, just for me. ‘https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ne2fkVCVkTE
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We all know Generative AI today can make miracles, but unfortunately Shalala is not one of them.
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The video was awesome. The song was a headache, and I’m a Taeyong apologist. The album so far is a wash. I’ll have to listen again, but seriously, I would have been okay with Love Theory Pt 2.
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Upon a second hearing, it’s alright. But I hope someone remixes it because it’s just kinda missing something.
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If I exercised this would be on my playlist. Unfortunately, I don’t run because I get tired and I don’t lift weights because they’re heavy. I’m sure it’ll have its audience though even if that audience isn’t me. I did like a lot of the rest of the album though. Gwando is really good. I recommend that one.
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That was certainly…an experience.
I don’t even know whether I like this one or not. Sure, there’s something unique about Taeyong’s delivery…but I kinda feel underwhelmed and overwhelmed equally after the first listen.
If I were to describe my impression with an emoji, I suppose it would be 😬.
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as soon as I clicked on this I did not like the direction the song was taking. I guess the beginning was cool but as the song progressed it got worse over time.
6.75 for me
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also off topic here but Turning Red aged badly.
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Shalala has interesting production paired with such grating delivery. I don’t see myself returning to it anytime soon.
The rest of the album are heavily co-written materials that Taeyong worked himself. Virtual Insanity is the best track of the entire album.
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I like the beat and respect the effort but I’m just not feeling it. Tbh i wouldn’t mind seeing someone like GD, Mino, or even Do Hanse on it. I feel like with their style and overall rapping ability, they’d all do some real cool things with this beat.
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Also, I can’t help but feel like this doesn’t really feel like Taeyong. Idk i could be wrong but when you compare this to the type of stuff he puts on his SC, it’s night and day. I wouldn’t be surprised if SM wanted something leaning toward the NCT sound but 🤷🏾♂️. I’m excited to hear the B-sides tho
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That song and MV is so Taeyong and I absolutly love it! Its so so creative and different, not laughed that much watching a MV since Blitzers Macarena. So many easter eggs in that MV, it takes a while to find them all.
Taeyong is rapping like he is possessed (i love how he switches up the flows and the beats) and then he gives a tiny little segment when he stops this relentless beat and actually gives you a bit of vocal and you think awww, how nice… but no… you only get a snippet of release and then its back to that crazy beat and rap. And then there are all those weird ad libs on the track. The ‘let’s go’ and ‘jumping round’ and ‘deep fried’ ahhh what can I say, its just a lot of addictive fun and bounce (wow wow wow wow).
The album has some real gems on it. Virtual Insanity , 404 File Not Found and Back to the Past all made it on my playlist.
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Shalalala my oh my, looks like the boy’s too shy, ain’t gonna kiss the girl ~
That aside, nice production, I always love the 90’s inspired style, but the hook doesn’t really do it for me.
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It’s just cringe. Could’ve been much better. Overall, I don’t find Taeyong’s tone amusing and yes I agree in NCT, he has the most earwormy parts and this song is full of it. The ‘lay low lay low’ part is the worst. The rest is bearable given the efforts.
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Nah, this wasn’t it for me. I’ve never been a fan of Taeyong’s “rapping” so I didn’t have Hugh hopes for this one. However, I do appreciate the production, which I feel overshowded his performance.
As someone mentioned, I think Hanse would have killed this. I guess SM thought we wanted this rather than a Taeil solo debut before enlistment.
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You read my mind, it’s also in Taeyong’s delivery where I have a problem, I feel that even though the structure tries to be innovative if he always ends the sentences in the same way and with that annoying tone it just doesn’t help how hard the production tried.
The song starts with a really nice hiphop track and I was hoping for something to match that but was quickly discouraged.
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The song reminded me of work it by missy elliot
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I’m here a month after the release of “Shalala” just to say that Iam embarrassingly obsessed with this silly song. I dismissed it and didn’t even finish it the first time I listened to it. I have become a victim of YouTube Shorts and all of a sudden my playlist got the bounce, wowwowow, and is shalalaing away, Lets Go!!!!🫣 I can’t help but laugh out loud and smile while listening to it, especially after watching the MV and some performances. Good or bad, if the song makes me smile, it will probably make it to my playlist🤷🏻♀️
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been more than a year since release, I think it’s safe to say its one of my least favorite songs ever 🙂
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