1. Heat It Up // 2. Dangerous // 3. Way You Are // 4. Umbrella // 5. Sad Loop // 6. Where U R

WAY YOU ARE

As part of my “K-Pop A-Z” feature, Infinite receive a write-up for any new material released in perpetuity, so of course that includes their fifteenth anniversary album Like Infinite! According to the members, Way You Are (너의 모든 게 다 좋아) was the album’s official title track up until a week before shooting the music video for Dangerous. Ultimately, they decided to go with something a bit more energetic.

As a longtime fan, I wouldn’t have been bowled over by either of these songs as title tracks, but I do hear more of Infinite’s DNA in Way You Are. The song is a dramatic mid-tempo highlighted by a beautiful vocal blend during its lush chorus. Given a more exciting arrangement, I could see this standing out within their discography, but apart from a few theatrical spikes during the pre-chorus, much of the instrumental trudges along familiar, canned sounds. This is why visionary producers like Sweetune and Rphabet are so important to Infinite’s oeuvre. Each would have imbued Way You Are with a much more unique musical touch.

With this said, I appreciate the track’s willingness to let the guys’ vocals shine. We get a proper bridge peppered with power notes that bring out the best in the group. For a few seconds, I hear that special Infinite magic that makes them my ultimate K-pop group. I just wish it was filtered into a more compelling song.

Grade: B