NCT’s Taeyong jumped right from military enlistment to the studio, or at least that’s how it feels based on the quick release of his new album today. Maybe he’d already been working on the project pre-enlistment. He’s already teased us with pre-releases Rock Solid and Storm, each showing different facets to his sound. Now, it’s time for the album’s title track WYLD.
Yet again, we have a different style from Taeyong. WYLD incorporates more singing than his usual fare, though the hook conforms to the charismatic sing-talk I’d expected. The overall mood is sexier and more atmospheric than quirkier work of the past, representing a small — but noticeable — growth in his presentation as an artist. It’s a welcome development, as is the robust instrumental underpinning the track. WYLD builds to an honest-to-goodness climax, which is rare to hear in the two-minute meme songs of the moment. Just when you think the track has exhausted its ideas, it clobbers you over the head during its final moments.
This sense of payoff goes a long way toward making WYLD feel like a satisfying comeback. I’d still prefer a more exciting hook than the monotone “la la la” we get, but at least this time the producers added bombast to the arrangement, making a rather flat sound sound big and widescreen. Taeyong’s star power deserves such an approach, and this combination makes for his strongest solo single yet.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
Grade: B
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Rock Solid isn’t on the album, it was just a song Taeyong put out as a welcome back song. Anyway, I enjoyed this song as well.
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Ooh, I love this! I admit the “lalalala” is underwhelming, but the fast-paced execution blends well with the robust production and there also is a long melodic second chorus in the middle as well so it keeps things exciting. Without a doubt his best solo track yet.
8.75 (8, 9, 9, 9) for me
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It’s another leading man song that sounds like it was written for a group to pass the parts around. Once again, it works okayish but not as well as we think it should. It sounds like he is using and mimicking the different voices and timbres because the song is crafted like that not because it is artistically interesting.
That said, it is fine. If this scratches your itch, fine.
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Definitely surprised me . He brought something new and fresh and I like this approach for him. I loved hearing his vocals shine . It’s been a while I have been satisfied by a Kpop song after the first listen. You can tell they were building up to something and he delivered. What a bridge , it was too good . That Lalala bothers me but hey , overall I am impressed.
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oh man! It’s crazy what the part following the second chorus can do for a pop song. The long bridge and explosive final chorus really make the song great for me. it’s such a welcome burst of unabashed energy. W taeyong
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It showcases his vocals nicely, makes him sound very versatile. I just really don’t vibe with his tone at all, sadly 😭 But that’s on me, solid track well-delivered.
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meh. I genuinely respect Taeyong and his artistry. the song is just generic SM, it is safe. the lalalala doesn’t help it, it SABOTAGES the song. the bridge to the chorus part in the last section is genuinely great I wish they just had that as a framework for this song. overall it is a 7/10.
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I was looking up this song and happened to accidentally hit play on the b-side “skiii.” Abrasive but I quite like it. We are going to the fucking club
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Some interesting ideas, but the lalalala is just a no go for me. Lazy when other artists revert/resort to it as well.
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