September is the month of SHINee solos, with three of four members releasing music or mvs over the next few weeks. It’s interesting to hear what they’re up to under new management, and for Onew the change seems to have ignited a sense of groove. When I think of his solo work, I’m more liable to imagine a ballad. However, new single Beat Drum (매력) sees him flirting with hip-hop and rhythmic pop.
For me, this is a good thing. He has a gorgeous voice for ballads, but there are few things better than a SHINee banger. Beat Drum does what it says on its label, giving him a percussive playground to showcase a variety of performance styles. His nimble vocals match the sound well, though the song’s ambitions are ultimately more tempered than I would have liked. Ironically, given its title the percussion is mostly forgettable, borrowing sounds we’ve heard in many other songs. A greater spotlight on actual drums would have been very satisfying.
Melodically, Beat Drum is a mixed bag. It’s sprightly all the way through, yet most of the hooks slide by without leaving much impression. An ascending “da da da” rounds out each chorus and verges on cloying, though Onew’s effortless vocal lends it credence. The song will probably end up growing on me (as most SHINee-related things do), but for now I’m not quite sold on it.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 7.75 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
It’s in B- territory for me though I did notice that about the lack of drums. Onew has one of the best voices in k-pop and glad to see him continue throwing out some upbeat music.
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i am thoroughly sold on the b-side Focus 🙃 Hooked!
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It’s a grower, liking it more and more with every listen.
Hola and All Day are my favourites, but Beat Drum is still a fairly strong release imo. I’ll probably rate it somewhere in the 8s.
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I’m loving this new chapter in his career. The sound is so good and different, more upbeat.
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Whoosh, easy breezy 2 and a half minutes.
What I like about it most of all is how the song is sung through. Sure there are parts which are layered in the studio. But its a proper song which one guy can sing through in one take. And so can we also sing along.
However
The speed is so spritely, it actually takes a deft and agile singer to sing it. Enunciation. Knowing when to clip a note and when to elide it into the next word. The easiest part is the first lines of the chorus. The rest is a secret challenge course that Onew just whips out like it was a nice Sunday walk. A two octave song and he makes it sound like nothing, often singing higher and better than most girls.
The songcraft is also good I am not as good as identifying all the moombahton style beats, but this seems to be a variation which kpop has not overcopied.
Anyway, I like it. High 8’s, maybe flat 9 for me.
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I just love singers who are so good that they make everything sound effortless, and listeners dont even suspect that what they’ re doing is actually pretty tricky. I discovered it when I tried to sing along to the chorus and my unpracticed singing voice was brutally exposed by the octave change ;;
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there’s a live performance with an actual band, not sure if you’ve checked it out:)
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Also this. Radio shows these days are just about the only live live performances. Onew just about nails it, and looks like he is enjoying himself too.
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Thank you for sharing this, I love it! He’ s just really neat :))
..what isn’ t neat is the kind of gaslighting the music industry as a whole is doing to change our perception of what ‘live singing’ is and how ‘good singing’ really sounds. I could write a thesis, but I’ ll keep it positive: I love being able to hear Onews voice in the moment here, with little fluctuations, real character and expression. I can really tell how impressive he is with this performance. Honestly I want more of that, especially from the idols who are amazing singers!
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I don’t have in-depth analysis of the song . But after a long time, I have listened to the song of an international artist and as soon I heard the Beat song by Onew it lifted my mood and made me groove! So for me the song connects regardless of the language barrier and brings smile to the face! ☺️🙃
a perfect 10!
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This song is catchy and easygoing, but I agree that it leans a little bit bland. It’s Onew though, so I am biased. I love his unique vocal tone and I think the ‘da-da-da’ chorus works for his personality without it becoming annoying.
I too wanted more drums though. Come on, producers, stick a drum solo in there! It’ s not like the song was getting too long for it.
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I am back more than a month later with an official rectification: I adore this song. Numbers are usually meaningless to me but I’d give this something in the high 8 territory. Yes, I learned the dance.
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Love this. Sad to say that I heard it through a tiktok challenge (as one does these days), went back to listen to it fully and now it’s on my playlist. Kids, don’t let them tell you that tiktok doesn’t work – it may take you to a gem sometimes.
Also, his voice is gorgeous.
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