Mandatory military enlistment can often be a big hurdle in a male idol’s career, but WOODZ has seen his popularity skyrocket during the time he was serving. I can’t remember such a huge enlistment-era glow-up happening before, and WOODZ seems eager to capitalize on the surge. Ahead of a new album, he’s released new song Smashing Concrete only days after being discharged.
This is also pretty unheard of, and a testament to WOODZ’s focus. He’s clearly passionate about his career as a musician and we’re all lucky for that. And rather than re-emerge with a sentimental “for the fans” ballad, he’s come out rocking hard. In fact, Smashing Concrete goes harder than just about anything in his discography so far. This is a daring choice, especially as his current breakthrough track Drowning is far more plaintive in comparison.
Smashing Concrete borrows heavily from the rock music of the 90’s — a genre and sound that used to be incredibly popular in Korea before the idol industry took hold. This song is raw and powerful, though lacks a bit when it comes to melodic hooks. The instrumental shreds with hulking power, driven by a pummeling riff and aggressive percussion. WOODZ’s vocals are filtered throughout, almost as if he’s singing in a different space than the band. Much of the song is comprised of what I’d call “melodic shouting,” which can be fun but also exhausting. I would have loved to hear a contrasting moment of clarity that cuts through the distorted texture, but I don’t think Smashing Concrete wants to be that kind of song. I admire what it’s doing, but I doubt I’ll return to it.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 7.75 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Unrelated, but are you excited for YENA’s comeback? From the teasers it sounds like NEMO NEMO but more rock and generic.https://youtu.be/sW2HDFt7eWE?si=jMFHZCWRhuEt33s1
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Oh a million yeses! I love when Woodz goes hard rock with angry growling.
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I love it. I’m so happy to click on the video and see a billion Korean comments praising him. He’s been my ult since Produce and I have seen him go through so much, it is amazing to see him finally get what he deserves. He has done so much giving and now he gets to receive 🙂
I imagine that this prerelease is reflective of a hard-rock sound that he’ll be going with for this album, but that the actual title track will have more in common with “Drowning,” the little b side that could. Hopefully A&R are more on their game now because “Journey” as a title track was so random.
I don’t recall if you reviewed it but I really love his OST for Singles Inferno, “Sun or Suck”…. I discovered it kind of late because I don’t watch the show but it is a club banger. I’d be pleased to hear more of that sound from him as well, and I also think it’s a possibility, though probably not in this album cycle.
Welcome back Seungyoun, and last but not least, baby you look amazing with the curly hair and the heels and cheeky cropped shirt, like a real rockstar. The wig budget is popping.
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This song was finally available on US itunes with the release of the “I’ll Never Love Again”.
Full marks for ambition.
Half marks for execution.
It sounds on the surface like a rock banger, almost Led Zeppelin for some fleeting moments. Upon repeat listens, it really would have helped to have a real band and not session musicians and samples powering the song. This ideas could have been the basis for a band to just go full out for many minutes. What irritates me the most is the CYM BAL CRASH ON EV VRY BEAT FOR THREE MIN UTS STRAIGHT JEE SUS MAN MAKE IT STOP.
I also wish the opening vocal riff, that high pitched wail, had gone full Robert Plant somewhere with more elaboration but alas it was the same snip played over and over.
I have other thoughts as well, smaller quibbles, but those two are my main ones.
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