My favorite K-pop group, Infinite, has had trouble picking great songs over the past few years. I’m not sure if it’s a lack-of-A&R situation or a lack-of-great-material-to-choose-from, but while the guys are mega talented with so much star power, I just don’t trust them when it comes to picking title tracks that best suit their potential. Listening to the highlight medley of Nam Woohyun’s latest sixteen track (!) opus, I feared history would repeat itself. Title track Devil sounded like one of the least interesting songs on an otherwise strong project.
I have to believe this is a case of concept over music, where Woohyun (or somebody close to him) wanted to attempt this sort of sultry mid-tempo and simply picked the song that most closely matched that brief. To be fair, this has never been my favorite style of track, so Devil faced an uphill battle even before I heard it. But even within the realm of sultry mid-tempos, the song is quite dull.
Woohyun has one of my absolute favorite voices in K-pop, capable of doing incredible things. The melodies here don’t let him flex much at all. I appreciate how the tempo kicks up halfway through Devil, but even here it doesn’t commit to anything beyond mood. The chorus pulls its punches, opting for a dull series of refrains that feel way too safe for a concept like this. Here’s hoping the album itself is as solid as its preview suggested.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 7.25 |
Grade: C
He most definitely held himself back! Which is odd given the fact that he is a more capable performer than most of his peers. The production, dramatic flair, and overall energy could have been much more focused and capitvating. So why did he turn it down so many notches?
8
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Please give Buried Treasures recommendation from his 16-tracks opus? as this is kinda mid for album title track. Also, I don’t understand the meaning of inserting 10-20 secs? of bird chirping parts after 3 minute mark in the MV. It is so unnecessary just skip it altogether please….
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I haven’t listened to it yet, but as usual I’ll put my recommendations in the weekly round-up on Sunday and write more in-depth about a buried treasure if there is one.
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Finger-crossed hope there is at least one
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I was thinking about the same. Or more properly, I was thinking whyyyyyyyyyeeeee Nam Woo Hyun, whyeeee are you doing this one? It sounds like a leftover boy band dark theme song circa 2022 or so. =sigh=
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Nam Woohyun’s overall discography are top-notch,majority..he did said VIEW are the top 2 to be title track. and me thinks VIEW kinda more suitable? Woohyun always go with the majority of infinite member’s opinion and the company… Sometimes i feels he keep getting sabotage because of this kind of majority..
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Returning to say that, yeah, they messed up when choosing the title track. I like nearly every other song on the album better than Devil…
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Would the Chaser have become Nick’s favourite song if Infinite members were the A&R team who was selecting songs lol?
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K-pop song*
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I like this mood, and there are some nice details and variation to hold my attenion. I’m very curious to check out the rest of the album if this is the weakest track! 7.5
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Namu himself had trouble choosing the title track. So he asked his stuff AND his members to vote amoung his title track options and he said the majority voted for Devil. And I personaly do not think it was a case of concept over music because its actually a very difficult song vocally. Besides he dances very heavy as well. Where the heck is thsi dull? Were talking about a men that almost lost his voice and his life to cancer and came back singing like this. After many complications includeing aperforated lung. The MV is a work of art. With both horiztontal and vertical tranzitions. With color play. With a story that integretes many simboles from Rene Magrittes’s works of art. The apple, the translucid doors, the stairs, the isalnd with a tree in the middle of the water, the globe with the stranger…it also depicts the Mith of the Eden as well. He brought back his Mephisto acting. And he linked the video to every single move in his choreo that he himself created. The fingers that mimicl the darkness, the hand momvement that mimics the serpent and the temptation. The movment where it looks like something is trying to still his soul and he pulls it back… even the looks of the backup dancers are taken from a work of Rene Magritte. He is a GENIOUS. And I seriously cannot believe you just rated this a 7.5… I oficially lost fate in this ungreatfull fandom! Since when have we become such a shellow fandom?
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I’m surprised you’ve gave only 7 for production. I was very happy at the overall production of the song, the beginning with guitar, more r&b, small build up to an intense dance chorus, the pre-chorus part before the 2nd chorus, and a BEAUTIFUL bridge where the instrumental is so simple yet his voice is shining in this part.
Not a weak title track at all in my opinion, very suited. I did find other tracks in the album very good too, especially view, codename 3,2,1, click click boom and sunset road to name just a few. I saw you’ve listed them too in your “this week in kpop” so i’m wondering if you’re going to do a song review for them too ?
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