I’ll confess this right at the top: despite enjoying Yesung quite a bit as a performer, I nearly didn’t listen to this new solo track at all. My bias (and his musical history) had me expecting a specific type of ballad that just isn’t my thing. I very rarely have much to write about these songs, so I tend to skip them altogether. However, I’m happy I pressed “play” because It’s Complicated turns out to be something a bit different.
Yes, I’d still classify this as a (power) ballad, but it trades sappy OST tropes for a driving rock energy. There’s a steady pulse right from the start that climaxes in a sprawling chorus. The duality between It’s Complicated‘s pieces allows Yesung to express a wide spectrum of emotion and vocalization. He’s a seasoned veteran, ensuring every part of the track works well. I would have loved to hear a bigger finale to give Complicated the closing fireworks display it deserves, but overall this is a very enjoyable, sing-along-at-the-top-of-your-lungs anthem.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.25 |
First of all, Happy 19th debut anniversary to Super Junior.
Second, this song. I was expecting full on sappy ballad too, but it is not.
It has the lower parts verses and higher parts choruses. But I wish there was a higher higher section instead of cycling from lower to plain high.
For example in Park Hyo Shin’s classic “Wildflower” he goes from low verse to mid for the first chorus. Then for the second chorus, he lifts it up a third, higher, louder. For the third chorus (after the monster break) it is up another third (fourth?), higher-er, louder-er. It tells the story subconsciously in the music even if you didn’t realize that he was doing that.
I wish Yesung had done something like that here, each raising the bar just a bit to build and build. Its fine, but could be better.
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Nick you didn’t review Changsub’s new album back in October 😞
Any reason why? OLD TOWN is such an incredible song.
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Ngl, I didn’t expect to like it. This song right here is his genre and musical style that suits his vocal tone.
I decided to play it while scrolling YouTube in the background, but didn’t expect to like the song instantly (been a long time I’ve liked any kpop song except APT) and I actually focused on the music.
I commented on it too that rock ballad suits him that normal ballad, wish the bridge had gone full on rock with crazy vocals to booth but can only wish.
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I have never been a ballad person, but power ballads have always been the exception. This definitely qualifies as the latter. It soars!
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