Fresh off a commanding stint as headliner at this year’s KCON, SHINee’s Taemin is back with his first release under BPM Entertainment. Moving agencies — especially from one as distinct as SM Entertainment — has the potential to alter the sound of an artist. Taemin has always held an idiosyncratic vision and thankfully BPM seems to respect that. Sexy In The Air is one of two new title tracks, but based upon the album’s highlight medley I’m much more interested in its synth-powered counterpart Horizon. I assume I’ll get to write a review for that track soon.
In the meantime, we’ve got an interesting sonic shift for Taemin. Sexy In The Air fuses his usual groove-focused approach with scuzzy alt-rock influence. The distorted guitar that opens the track goes on to color much of the instrumental, adding texture that contrasts with Taemin’s smooth vocals. Halfway through Sexy In The Air, the production switches up completely, unleashing a more languid hip-hop beat. I’m not a big fan of this second half, which meanders more than the taut structure that precedes it. But for about ninety seconds we’ve got a fascinating new sound for Taemin.
Due to its fragmented nature, Sexy In The Air is a tough track to rate. As engaging as its best parts are, I find myself frustrated and unsatisfied when the song finishes. It feels strangely incomplete, leaving me wanting more of rockstar Taemin. It’s like reading a great novel only to have it snatched away before you can see how the story ends. Perhaps this dual approach will become more compelling with time.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Our k-pop dancing prince is back just in time for his 10th anniversary!
tbh I prefer Horizon over Sexy in the Air as well but I did like some parts of the latter. He sounds really good in the first half and I would be interested to see him do more throwback hip-hop songs like those.
BTW I’m curious to know your thoughts on his new album 👀. I wonder if you have plans to do a mini album review for Eternal?
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bruh horizon is not good idk what you’re talking about… Deja Vu is clearly the best here
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I’m not a fan of Taemin’s darker, more brooding work so the first half of this song is the best thing I’ve heard from him in a while. I wouldn’t have minded if the whole song was like that or if it went back to that after the slower interlude. I would give that part an A and the second part a C so a B rating seems about right.
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My husband put it succinctly, “it sounds like the intro to one of your albums than a main song.” Very much a teaser, even down to the choreo in the video. He does some cool, powerful kicks and then just changes gears. Frustrating. Well, I’m looking forward to Horizon.
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Not a fan of that weird last third drop. The song is so groovy until then , the guitar is amazing. The only thing I can think of is that it is planned to transition straight into a longer dancebreak for the tour! It does seem like a fantastic opener.
The album is very solid and consistent! I enjoy Crush, but that was to be expected, it could almost be a Key song and his music is my favourite amongst SHINee solos🤣
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I liked it from the first five seconds and then the chorus came, like, not even thirty seconds in? And I already had a sinking feeling about where this was going, but Taemin’s delivery is so enjoyable and the instrumental so pleasing that I went along with it… only to realize that the song that I liked lasts about a minute and some forty seconds; this reminds me of last year’s New Emotions, except the song itself is better but the runtime is shorter, and so overall equally underwhelming. Then another song, stitched to this one as if by mistake (granted, the sews were not shoddy: Sunmi’s Stranger this is not, and not even TVXQ’s Rebel), started, and turned out to be equally pleasing but even more aimless: the previous part at least had a structure, as primitive as it was. Finally, it spilled itself into a bed-creaking (apt for the song title but tired nonetheless) sample accompanied by some moaning lest we forget that sex is, in fact, in the air. You’d think this outro would be a chance for Taemin to showcase his impressive dancing skills, but the video ruins it with moving camera and odd, grating lighting. Despite the song’s best efforts to persuade you, the video lacks sensuality that would justify the title.
I don’t know; I guess Taemin is figuring it out, or maybe Taemin is more interested in music that serves as good accompaniment for some breathtaking choreography, hopefully to be properly revealed in a later performance video shot with a fixed camera, rather than in well-crafted pop music. I would’ve preferred to listen to the first song, only expanded, given space to breathe–and to seduce. For a song titled Sex Is In The Air, this one does very little to do so.
As for the album… to close it with a 2:35 track called Say Less sure is something. No, Taemin-ssi, please say more.
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Weakest song in the EP.
Not bad, but uninteresting. Taemin’s showing a surprising amount of restraint in this one.
Doesn’t have the sauce of Guilty, the tempo of Advice or the sheer perfection of Criminal.
Horizon is a banger though! Looking forward to that MV.
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Not as good as Deju Vu
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There has maybe been no surer ‘buried treasure’ pick in the history of this blog than Horizon—the track list said it was one of the double title tracks though so hopefully a music video is coming soon! If you haven’t listened, you’re going to fucking love it. It’s one of taemin’s best songs.
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not as good as Deju Vu… Horizon is a weak synthwave attenpt
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I like the switch up at the second half of the song and it sounds like it could be a part of his Want album. But it still could do better.
8.25 (8, 9, 8, 8) for me.
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Deja Vu is BY FAR the best song on the album… Horizon is not really that good
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Not nearly as good as Deju Vu
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Dude……how many times are you going to say that? LOL
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Its fine for a basic leading man song. But it is missing the usual Taemin punch, the flair. The song colors within its line, and that is all.
Missing – the insanely high “best take my own advice line”. The whoops in Criminal chorus that relieve the sotto voce tension in the verses. The ultrasultry Move chorus, with signature unique dance moves so quiet they speak volumes. This one, well, there isn’t anything obvious.
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Yeah it loses me near the end. The final section is so stripped back, and though Taemin dances his ass off the song doesn’t go anywhere for a powerful finish. As another commenter said, this def feels like an album intro as opposed to a title track. Still, I appreciate Dem Jointz making bold choices and Taemin’s ability to elevate anything.
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Wow. I actually love the stripped down pat and I think it works with everything. You’re probably not the only one thinking this.
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Totally agree!
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I love taemin right but what is sexy in the air? everything about him is great I love the different beats it gives textures colors and flavors I love the mixture of Korean and English he’s one of the best out there and I’ve never seen anyone like him I’ve been a fan of Korean music for years and I will continue until I get tired of it
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