Ahead of new title track Illusion (착각) today, Onew has been releasing digital tracks over the past few weeks. These have come in the form of duets with Yuju and Zico. Both songs did very little for me and without proper music videos to back them up I didn’t feel they warranted a full review. Illusion seems to have more promotional weight behind it and I guess it’s the best of a middling bunch.
The biggest issue here is that Illusion stakes its claims on musical trends that are clearly on their way out, making it feel behind the time and quite extraneous. Its soft, garage-influenced percussion is forgettable and makes for a wimpy backdrop for Onew’s powerful voice. For dance tracks, a voice like his really needs full intensity backing it up. Otherwise, the balance feels off.
This is true melodically, as well. A performer like Onew is not made for halfhearted, non-committal melodic phrasing. Illusion offers little to sink his teeth into, coming across as a shrug rather than a compelling highlight. Though the song is pleasant throughout, it’s the kind of music that fades immediately from memory once it’s stopped playing. He deserves better than disposable material.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7 |
Grade: C-
Illusion
this is disappointing. Its short, lacks consistent melodic production, and also lacks identity. I can imagine so many k-soloists singing this song and even groups like izna/illit too. The bridge was the only sort of memorable part of this song. The rest was pretty boring. But the crazy thing is that he did so well in atmos from june.
7.25 (8,7,7,7)
this is about as boring as illusion with zico, the korean chart king, adding nothing noteworthy. I can see already this sitting comfortably on the charts just due to its simplicity. Even the chorus doesn’t do anything either.
Rating: 7
this hurts even more giving the fact this is what yuju’s new song sounded like too. I was expecting a big, dramatic track with high notes on high notes because we have all seen them in their prime. But this is more coffehouse catered, made to make you snooze or crave some coffee. Sadly this makes me do the former.
Rating: 7
Final thoughts: I really dont have alot of thoughts on this ep because it feeels so empty and lifeless, which are words that should be nowhere near an artist like onew 😦
Album rating: low 7(7.0833)
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TikTok was forgettable but kinda catchy. This one just is? 🙃
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*Tic Tac Toe 😂😂😂 SO FORGETTABLE I FORGOT THE TITLE
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Onew and D.O. are two of my favorite singers, not just in Kpop, and both seem hellbent on making exactly the kind of music they want, regardless of what the rest of us might wish they’d lean more into. Perfectly fine, I guess, but while I still manage to find small gems on every new release, it’s been a while since I’ve loved an entire album/EP from either of them.
For Onew that last release was Circle. It genuinely pains me how underwhelmed I’ve been by much of his music since, especially knowing what he’s capable of. I’ve enjoyed different songs from his recent releases, and a lot of the more underwhelming songs come alive in a live setting simply because of how he carries them. But I want more than “charming, safe, short, forgettable”. I want to be excited. I respect, that he’s going to do, what he wants to do, but I’m at the point where I’m side-eyeing the credits and wondering if it’s time to switch things up.
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Yup agree to this 100 Percent
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It’s an average song with a couple really sick moments that make it work listening to. Those sick moments are the mid song modulation and the held out high note. Onew’s high notes have to be some of my favorite of all time. It’s rare to hear someone reach such heights with such Fullness and power
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Ikr! Shinee are such good vocalists
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He makes it look easy. Perhaps too easy. The break is the best part of the song, the rest is “fine”.
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Nice groove with good vocal moments here & therer, but unremarkable most of the time. Next please…..
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I’m writing this pretty late to release but I am always feeling conflicted with Onew and the music he has been coming out with. My favorite release since joining Griffin was ‘Shape of My Heart’, a b-side. I feel even though a short song, captivated his voice well and carried the essence of a singer outside of Kpop. It had much the feel of his earlier solo releases. Much of his SM songs weren’t of Kpop essence and I really enjoyed those. Of course Dice is more on the Kpop sound and I still very much love it. I think in my opinion, the best album of his since leaving SM for solo activities is his Connection album. I enjoyed a lot of songs on there despite feeling a lot of the rap parts were unnecessary. I know given the industry these days, artist are probably taking from the same song camps but I really do miss songs that help you to resonate. Of course I do like fun and upbeat songs, it is just that I don’t know, many of these new songs feel cheap and unfinished. I don’t think they highlight that he can actually sing. I am never sure what he actually wants to put out and how he wants to be defined as a singer. I am not even sure what exactly he contributes when credited on songs. I feel those lines were definitely blurred at this company and he’s lost identity. I get truly disappointed and don’t know who I invested listening and spending money on. Of course, I know many people like the new things and think he’s finally getting to be himself and making the music he wants to make but I never imagined or saw him wanting to do the type of music he is doing now and the personality he has consumed. I think Circle was truly his best album and contained many genres. Of course, I know he isn’t this cute innocent person but at Griffin, he’s become an off-putting personality to me. When he is with SHINee members, I still see the person I thought he was. Maybe it’s all character. I feel like the company wasted his potential to separate himself from the Kpop realm and be recognized as a great singer. He is under contract after all so I know a CEO and company get ultimate say. Even seeing the recent Q Concert, I am left utterly disappointed. I don’t know who he is or wants to be but he has become someone I no longer want to support and that decision wasn’t easy. I think it was truly an illusion to me. I’ll cherish the past and happy times but I guess it is the end of a journey for me following him on his solo endeavors and I wish him the best. I am just one person and there seems to be many that are liking his post SM music and what he has become. It’s very sad but I am going to keep my best at holding onto SHINee and hoping they always stay together and are always happy and healthy.
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