Rather than opt a full comeback just yet, Kang Daniel has followed up his latest tour with digital single Mess. Billed as a “special gift” for fans, the song sees him take on the subdued, angsty rock that has gradually become a large part of his discography.
Fans of this style would likely call Mess emotional and resonant. To me, it just sounds a bit mopey. I realize this could be a very dismissive word to describe music, but there’s a way to express angst while still maintaining a sense of spark within the music itself. So much of Mess feels like a flat line, drained of its color. The instrumental rarely rises above a hush, even when guitar comes in to support the pre-chorus and chorus. This blends almost too well with Daniel’s airy vocal, which works best when contrasted against more robust production.
When it comes down to it, Mess works fine as a release for devoted fans. But as someone who craves more dynamic material from his solo male stars, the song feels way too close to the dull Benson Boones and Teddy Swims clogging international charts — only without the explosive vocal turns that cause listeners to sit up and take notice.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.25 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
The struggle, again, is real. I am even having to dip into the country genre these days for the good stuff.
Kids, the best way to handle stress is not the beige pop, but the full out angsty ranty belty song. Also, as Tom Jones used to say, it is better to sing about your audience than to sing about yourself. Sex bomb sex bomb, _you’re_ my sex bomb.
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Agree with the analysis, sounds like Teddy Swims kind of song without the great chorus and vocals. I find it quite average, also in the concept…. fans might like it though but to me it’s a pass 😦
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