NCT’s Yuta made his solo debut last year with a pummeling J-rock sound. Of all the group’s members, his solo work has felt the most leftfield so far and that’s a great thing. It’s clear he’s passionate about this style, which should always be the number one element fueling solo work. This passion continues with new Japanese single Twisted Paradise, though the sonic landscape has changed a bit.
Rather than hit us over the head with shredding guitar, Twisted Paradise offers Yuta’s take on a theatrical rock ballad. Borrowing from 70’s icons like Queen, the track unfolds with plenty of pomp and drama. It’s an interesting sound for Yuta and works best when he fully embraces it. I would have done without Twisted Paradise‘s more modern trends (mostly the trap percussion in verse two) and fully leaned into the track’s nostalgic side. The guitar has such texture and verve and the few moments where the production flirts with Queen-style vocal layering show potential that could have been more fully realized.
With songs like this, it’s all about the dynamics and build. Just like a good theatrical show, you want moments of tension and release. This is most effective during Twisted Paradise‘s opening verse before the bulk of the instrumental crashes in. From here, the track becomes a bit flatter. Yuta belts the chorus to the rafters and I wish the production supported this in a more dynamic way. The way his voice is arranged, he becomes another element in the mix rather than its driving force. Still, I appreciate that he tackled this genre at all. He clearly has the chops to pull it off.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
It’s like a cross between Queen and Muse. I think if this came out circa 2003 (around the time of Muse’s Origin of Symmetry), I’d have dug this more.
LikeLiked by 2 people
— sorry, I meant Muse’s Absolution (from 2003), which went for a grander theatrical sound and was their most Queen-like work.
LikeLike
The chorus and break are great! When he is there, doing that, it is great!
The verses, not so great – not really a compelling melody there with only two or three notes. Not much one can do with two notes.
LikeLike
The opening piano note is pure Killer Queen, but unfortunately the melody doesn’t do much, as you say. I hear less Muse the 2nd time around; I guess what reminds me of Muse are lyrics like, “We’re running out of time.” Since they were going for a Brian May guitar tone, might as well have had a Queen-like solo; that would have been “killer.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed, and weird comment maybe, but the voice is too prominent? He has a great voice, but rock ballads need strong instrumentals in my opinion. Strong as in, louder. I liked his previous song better! But I see the vision and I hope he continues tackling rock. His voice is amazing for it.
LikeLike
That would be the mixing, bringing the voice louder and more forward to make his voice sound like it has more heft and oomph and feeling and meaning.
The verse going back and forth on E4 D4 E4 D4 just doesn’t give him much to work with. The songs that might have that have better lyrics with better consonants for the singer to dig into emotively.
LikeLike
This was love at first listen…8.75
LikeLike
For some reason the MV’s been pulled already. I didn’t watch it closely (I tend to listen rather than watch), was it controversial or something?
LikeLike
Weird. Added the official audio for now.
LikeLike
About half had him in front of video screens of techinicolor clouds. The other half had him writhing around in blood on his hands and body. I’m thinking it was the blood part.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just found out the video was taken down due to quality issues, so they had to fix the video. It just got reuploaded an hour ago.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our news actually… reported about this… they said that it was actually because of a sudden flash of a Taiwanese flag image that made them took it down… so ye… it was for political issues
LikeLike
Yikes.
LikeLike
I like this song, but not as much as Off the Mask.
LikeLike
Agreed with the above comment in regards to Off the Mask being more enjoyable, but I like this one. I think low-8s is a good pick.
Also, Nick, did you see Bibi’s new title track and album? I’m really not feeling the title at all –Apocalypse feels like a milder, more boring version of Derre– but it has some vaguely interesting b-sides.
LikeLike
Better than expected! Liking it so far!
LikeLike
I think the fact that you’ve been highlighting DE’WAYNE’s work on recent Global Pop Round-Ups has the effect of this song muted for me. I like the drama here, especially during the chorus, but DE’WAYNE just hits the style and rock of this sound a lot harder.
LikeLike