Everything about this track is SHINEE! Here's why: recently on SHINee's 15th Anniversary Roadtrip show, they guys were discussing how when they chose this track, they all hated the original melody. So, in true SHINee fashion, they dismantled it and made a new one. This is why the title MV was delayed until 6/26 rather than their intended 5/25 release. BTW: the album is a MASTERPIECE! There's a variety of genres and something for everyone. As you will find out, because SHINee's history and discography is so VAST in terms of Kpop longevity, newer fans (babywols) and those not familiar may think SHINee are "copying" the sound of 3rd & 4th gen groups like NCT (as I've heard) to stay relevent, or that this is something new for them. What they don't realize is that before those groups existed, there was SHINee who actually mentored other groups like EXO and NCT. What they also don't realize is that SHINee were originally supposed to be a Hip-Hop group. However that changed early on due to SHINee's spectacular vocals and ability to sing anything SM threw at them. They were ultimately billed as a contemporary group which left them open to experiment and explore different genres. Thus, some of their earliest songs were 90s Hip-Hop inspired: "Get Down" (2009); "Up & Down" (2010); "Alive" & "Trigger" (2015); and of course 2021's "Don't Call Me". Therefore, this is not something new for SHINee, as it harkens back to the 90s Hip-Hop sound which they emulated earlier in their career and for which they pay homage to the 1st. gen. As with much of their music, SHINee here is referencing their past MVs, individual solo work, as well as a smattering of SuperM -- because of 1) Taemin and 2) SM Universe (Kwangya) as indicated by the foreshadowing and funky tone at the end of the MV. However, I also think this MV represents a very bold statement from SHINee that is synonymous with Taemin's equally bold rhetoric from his 2021 song/MV, "Advice". Therefore, the most prominent symbolism I see in this MV is harkening back to "Advice" (the central figure being the Piano, Taemin's painted hands, and the generally aggressive rhetoric) but there are others as well: Again, with the piano, we see it is initially represented in a "Circle" (Onew's latest title track) which also symbolizes neverending/eternity. The blue water gushing from the piano and the waves crashing into Onew are reminiscent of "Atlantis". Taemin's 2020 "Criminal" with the figures in white pressing against a screen in the background of Taemin's rap and the reference to "criminal" in the chorus. The pristine black & white aesthetic of the beginning of the MV as it is in the middle of Taemin's "Criminal". The brothers being dragged down into the piano itself, as Taemin was in the "underground hellish pit of lava in "Criminal". Key's "Hate That" video is represented by Minho standing on the same rocky outcropping where Key and Taeyeon were perched in the same lighting and scenery. The animation is the same style as Onew's collab with Punch for their MV, "Way". Minho absorbing all the light and turning into a flame reflects his early SHINee nickname of "flaming charisma" due to his fiery passion and extreme competitiveness. It's like a trip down memory land. We also have Key referencing an astra (star/not the car) in the lyrics. This could be a reference to Jonghyun, as he is also referred to as a "Diamond" in the sky, and the brothers will often point or look up toward their brother in the sky when singing, as was the case in their recent pre-release, "The Feeling". I think the overall message simplified is that SHINee is bigger than anyone's limited, individual imagination -- as Taemin represented clearly with his oversized body in a very small room within his head in "Advice". This is emphasized with the guys breaking out of the piano, destroying it in the process. Don't try to box them into one genre, one sound, and one "identity" (ironically/coincidentally the title of a b-side song on this album and also the title of one of Taemin's solo songs). Don't try to confine their creativity to your own ideal/expectations. They don't and have never conformed to such ideas, as the company realized years ago beginning in 2015, as they began relinquishing some of their control over the creative process to SHINee. SHINee doesn't care whether their music is fitting into the industry trends or standards. They have always been the ones who set the trends and standards through their experimentation: singing live from the beginning during performances, upping the ante and complexity of choreographies while singing live, dance practice videos, fashion trends, inventing hybrid songs with "Sherlock", introducing new genres of music like Deep House and Dubstep to Kpop, instituting new fashion trends like skinny jeans and heavy eye make-up. And who could EVER forget "Internet War" and "Born to SHINe". These are just to name a few. SHINee transformed the Kpop landscape from the moment they first hit the stage in 2008. They have no fear. Their very boldness and conviction has helped them to survive and triumph over any perceived controversies with their image & reputation intact. The music doesn't dictate to them; they can't be held captive by the restrictions of what's trendy at the time or appropriate -- they dictate the music. They are going back to their roots to start their second act. All we have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride!
@@MiMiShaMiii127 Absolutely. All of us SHAWOLs should stick together and help broaden other fans perspective when it comes to our boys. Thank you for the compliment.
They have been in the industry for 15 years and they always deliver something different and I never question their choices, I just trust them. The choice of songs seems to be very important to them and they certainly compromised in the arrangement so that we could find something for ourselves but at the same time gave the feeling that they are one with the fans regardless of the preferences of each of us
Album is amazing. I think you will like it. There are two hype, performance based songs: HARD and JUICE (SHINee are performing them on music shows this week, so you can watch live stages), the rest of the songs are a vocal feast. I personally love all 10 of them. SHINee is just too good, there is no exit, hahaha.
Thank you so much for the reaction!! HARD isn't my favorite SHINee song but as I listened to it more and more, I grew to love it! The album's b-sides are very good and very different from the title track, it's really worth listening!!
Hard is such a statement: especially the lyrics. They are saying that they're still here making real music and their album reflects this. Same goes for Juice. 10x gives you that jazzy RnB SHINee we know and love, Satellites is pure SHINee pop. Identity is IT (my personal favorite).... that is a statement. The Feeling, Sweet Misery and Insomnia are all very classic SHINee--gives very similar vibes to View and Good evening and even Countless. What I love about these boys is that they can still have a signature sound (their choruses where they sing in unison are 2nd to none) and still push boundaries with their music, all while having 15 years in the game. Many other groups their age are making music that are a nod and wink to their old music with very little to contribute to the world of music. I won't name groups because i I am not looking to get doxed. But a lot of those comebacks seem like a money grab to get older fans engaged again for the sake of nostalgia. Name another 2nd gen group that is still making music that is a genuine act of creativity? Lots of 2nd gen groups are making music that is celebratory of their legacy. SHINee is being very clear that their legacy is still being built.
@@TheHekateris I jus now watched her reaction video---i swear she's in my brain or something. That's wild. She said this far more eloquently than I did.
Would that be because most 2nd groups are disbanded/no longer active? Whereas Shinee has intentions to continue releasing and promote music and not just for anniversaries
@@lndanguyn I mean, yes...factually that is true. But their longevity being unique is more than just the fact that their contemporaries are inactive. Time is a non-renewable resource and SHINee aren't as young as their competitors in this field (by a lot). The fact that they invest so much time and energy into perfecting and curating their group music, when they obviously have the privilege of a loyal fanbase that would listen to and buy anything they put out--is kind of amazing. It's what keeps me coming back to them. I love how much care they put into what they put out (even if it doesn't always align with my personal taste). Imagine going 15 years (half their lives) with a group and having so much affection for that group that you still want to continue despite being very capable of making money and having success doing solo projects (acting, variety shows, solo music). It's why solo-stans irritate me quite a bit. And why comparisons of their music to other artists' fall flat. SHINee are masters of their instruments and are distinct in how they execute their performances. SHINee's music is their style because THEY are the ones doing it.
That scene with Minho that looks familiar, you might be remembering Key's Hate That with Taeyeon, the scene on the rock. Actually this mv is filled with references from other SHINee and solo releases such as Taemin's Advice with the piano and blue hands, the circular piano which reminds of Onew's circle, the animation much like Onew's Way with Punch. Also remembering Atlantis with the water background during Onew's part
Looking forward to seeing you react to the live.. and also the live performance of Juice. Very interested to know what you think about it since, from what I read, SM wanted Juice to be the title track
The scene with Minho... Key had almost the same shot in DCM, in the red outfit. It reminded me of it straight away. Maybe that is what you were remembering too?
Thank for the reaction 💖 It’s more of 1st gen boy groups hiphop sound but like modern, they did have bsides same style in their early days but for long they weren’t doing that style anymore, Taemin did say he wanted a song like that as a tt to try that style of tt I know hard is more of performance driven song and might not be everyone preference but the album is great in my opinion and I love they went softer and more personal and emotional for the bsides ( aside from the bside called juice lol) you would like the album I know you didn’t vibe much with dcm bsides but this album is more of what you would like
I’m with you on the favorite part of the song - for me it’s definitely the bridge with Taemin’s sultry voice - ahhh, chef’s kiss! But overall I like this energetic escapade towards hip hop territory. Like you said - they’re so talented they can pull off literally anything they want :) The album (of course) is not all like that, it’s diverse and offers something for everyone. The songs I particularly like are 10X (super jazzy and funky with amazing vocal harmonies) and Sweet Misery - a slightly slower song, with gorgeous melodies. Of course their vocals are absolutely amazing, they sound so mature, so diverse, one can really tell they’re an exceptional group of artists!
It more of 1st gen boy group seotaji and the boys type of song mixed with 90’s west coast 90’s hiphop which is what they were going for here, Taemin has been wanting that sound for a shinee tt for long time and he requested the song to be made, they mentioned fighting with the company over the song because the company didn’t want them to do that but they insisted to make it They do actually have songs like that in their early albums from 2008 & 2009 their first two full albums were mainly mix of rnb, hiphop and electropop and they bring it back this comeback The bsides as well are very modern refined version of their old early rookie albums sound. For their title tracks 80% of the title tracks sound different genres from one another actually they change up things a lot especially for the title tracks Also yeah it gonna be mainly performance song like everybody etc….
I really enjoy this title track, I still have to listen to the album. There is something a little NCT about it (though obviously still very Shinee), as in I would love to pair this with Ay-yo in my playlist.
This comeback is great and yes definitely had 90's boom bap west coast vibes. This is very SM coded but it sounded very NCT127 but with Shinee flare and vocals.
It’s mix of something they did as rookies with new feel I guess m and yeah the chorus is very 90’s hiphop west coast The song is very chaotic and personally can be very overwhelming when listening to it along with the mv because the mv itself is a lot in its own way but on it’s own it’s better listen It’s definitely a performance song they do these type of performance based title track whenever they come back from any sort of break it is to show they still able to release these type of performance based songs I personally love the song, tho my downside for it is it should have been longer, an extra twenty seconds would have tied the song more together and I wish the pre-chorus for the last chorus when they say KO was different because that part does sound very nct despite the rest of the song sounding like shinee take on first gen hiphop, that little part does sound very nct127-ish I don’t know if you will see this or not but I highly recommend the rest of the album because it’s 180 different than the title track (&the bside called juice that sound like their rookie songs), it’s softer, more emotional and personal Lastly Onew wasn’t part of all the mv filming because he wasn’t feeling well and after that since then he has been on hiatus they perform the song and the bside juice on music shows as three and they cover his parts
The album is very different. Juice is divisive however the rest of the album has all gotten generally great reviews. I’m a pretty unreliable source myself as I’m a hardcore Shawol and in my brain they couldn’t possibly do anything wrong, however other have agreed with me so I think it’s got some merit
my favorite chorus is definitely the last one cause i love Key's lower register so much 🙌🙌 he ate
Taemin bias here I AGREE
Onew may not have been in the promos, but no one can deny his voice.
Everything about this track is SHINEE! Here's why: recently on SHINee's 15th Anniversary Roadtrip show, they guys were discussing how when they chose this track, they all hated the original melody. So, in true SHINee fashion, they dismantled it and made a new one. This is why the title MV was delayed until 6/26 rather than their intended 5/25 release. BTW: the album is a MASTERPIECE! There's a variety of genres and something for everyone.
As you will find out, because SHINee's history and discography is so VAST in terms of Kpop longevity, newer fans (babywols) and those not familiar may think SHINee are "copying" the sound of 3rd & 4th gen groups like NCT (as I've heard) to stay relevent, or that this is something new for them. What they don't realize is that before those groups existed, there was SHINee who actually mentored other groups like EXO and NCT. What they also don't realize is that SHINee were originally supposed to be a Hip-Hop group. However that changed early on due to SHINee's spectacular vocals and ability to sing anything SM threw at them. They were ultimately billed as a contemporary group which left them open to experiment and explore different genres. Thus, some of their earliest songs were 90s Hip-Hop inspired: "Get Down" (2009); "Up & Down" (2010); "Alive" & "Trigger" (2015); and of course 2021's "Don't Call Me". Therefore, this is not something new for SHINee, as it harkens back to the 90s Hip-Hop sound which they emulated earlier in their career and for which they pay homage to the 1st. gen.
As with much of their music, SHINee here is referencing their past MVs, individual solo work, as well as a smattering of SuperM -- because of 1) Taemin and 2) SM Universe (Kwangya) as indicated by the foreshadowing and funky tone at the end of the MV. However, I also think this MV represents a very bold statement from SHINee that is synonymous with Taemin's equally bold rhetoric from his 2021 song/MV, "Advice". Therefore, the most prominent symbolism I see in this MV is harkening back to "Advice" (the central figure being the Piano, Taemin's painted hands, and the generally aggressive rhetoric) but there are others as well: Again, with the piano, we see it is initially represented in a "Circle" (Onew's latest title track) which also symbolizes neverending/eternity. The blue water gushing from the piano and the waves crashing into Onew are reminiscent of "Atlantis". Taemin's 2020 "Criminal" with the figures in white pressing against a screen in the background of Taemin's rap and the reference to "criminal" in the chorus. The pristine black & white aesthetic of the beginning of the MV as it is in the middle of Taemin's "Criminal". The brothers being dragged down into the piano itself, as Taemin was in the "underground hellish pit of lava in "Criminal". Key's "Hate That" video is represented by Minho standing on the same rocky outcropping where Key and Taeyeon were perched in the same lighting and scenery. The animation is the same style as Onew's collab with Punch for their MV, "Way". Minho absorbing all the light and turning into a flame reflects his early SHINee nickname of "flaming charisma" due to his fiery passion and extreme competitiveness. It's like a trip down memory land. We also have Key referencing an astra (star/not the car) in the lyrics. This could be a reference to Jonghyun, as he is also referred to as a "Diamond" in the sky, and the brothers will often point or look up toward their brother in the sky when singing, as was the case in their recent pre-release, "The Feeling".
I think the overall message simplified is that SHINee is bigger than anyone's limited, individual imagination -- as Taemin represented clearly with his oversized body in a very small room within his head in "Advice". This is emphasized with the guys breaking out of the piano, destroying it in the process. Don't try to box them into one genre, one sound, and one "identity" (ironically/coincidentally the title of a b-side song on this album and also the title of one of Taemin's solo songs). Don't try to confine their creativity to your own ideal/expectations. They don't and have never conformed to such ideas, as the company realized years ago beginning in 2015, as they began relinquishing some of their control over the creative process to SHINee. SHINee doesn't care whether their music is fitting into the industry trends or standards. They have always been the ones who set the trends and standards through their experimentation: singing live from the beginning during performances, upping the ante and complexity of choreographies while singing live, dance practice videos, fashion trends, inventing hybrid songs with "Sherlock", introducing new genres of music like Deep House and Dubstep to Kpop, instituting new fashion trends like skinny jeans and heavy eye make-up. And who could EVER forget "Internet War" and "Born to SHINe". These are just to name a few. SHINee transformed the Kpop landscape from the moment they first hit the stage in 2008. They have no fear. Their very boldness and conviction has helped them to survive and triumph over any perceived controversies with their image & reputation intact. The music doesn't dictate to them; they can't be held captive by the restrictions of what's trendy at the time or appropriate -- they dictate the music. They are going back to their roots to start their second act.
All we have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride!
pls i wanna copy ir comment and save it in my note can i cuz ur explanation is so good
@@MiMiShaMiii127 Absolutely. All of us SHAWOLs should stick together and help broaden other fans perspective when it comes to our boys. Thank you for the compliment.
@@Saddlemomma appriciated thank u so much 🤚🏼😊💎🥺 u did really amazing job
They have been in the industry for 15 years and they always deliver something different and I never question their choices, I just trust them.
The choice of songs seems to be very important to them and they certainly compromised in the arrangement so that we could find something for ourselves but at the same time gave the feeling that they are one with the fans regardless of the preferences of each of us
We treasure SHINee so much, you can’t imagine how big their influence to the Kpop industry since 2008
Album is amazing. I think you will like it. There are two hype, performance based songs: HARD and JUICE (SHINee are performing them on music shows this week, so you can watch live stages), the rest of the songs are a vocal feast. I personally love all 10 of them. SHINee is just too good, there is no exit, hahaha.
Thank you so much for the reaction!! HARD isn't my favorite SHINee song but as I listened to it more and more, I grew to love it!
The album's b-sides are very good and very different from the title track, it's really worth listening!!
SHINee is the different level
THE LEGEND
Hard is such a statement: especially the lyrics. They are saying that they're still here making real music and their album reflects this. Same goes for Juice. 10x gives you that jazzy RnB SHINee we know and love, Satellites is pure SHINee pop. Identity is IT (my personal favorite).... that is a statement. The Feeling, Sweet Misery and Insomnia are all very classic SHINee--gives very similar vibes to View and Good evening and even Countless. What I love about these boys is that they can still have a signature sound (their choruses where they sing in unison are 2nd to none) and still push boundaries with their music, all while having 15 years in the game. Many other groups their age are making music that are a nod and wink to their old music with very little to contribute to the world of music. I won't name groups because i I am not looking to get doxed. But a lot of those comebacks seem like a money grab to get older fans engaged again for the sake of nostalgia. Name another 2nd gen group that is still making music that is a genuine act of creativity? Lots of 2nd gen groups are making music that is celebratory of their legacy. SHINee is being very clear that their legacy is still being built.
Yes, Torsie said the same thing in her reaction video this morning. That's the beauty of SHINee!
@@TheHekateris I jus now watched her reaction video---i swear she's in my brain or something. That's wild. She said this far more eloquently than I did.
@@anabananaha2965 she has a gift!!
Would that be because most 2nd groups are disbanded/no longer active? Whereas Shinee has intentions to continue releasing and promote music and not just for anniversaries
@@lndanguyn I mean, yes...factually that is true. But their longevity being unique is more than just the fact that their contemporaries are inactive.
Time is a non-renewable resource and SHINee aren't as young as their competitors in this field (by a lot). The fact that they invest so much time and energy into perfecting and curating their group music, when they obviously have the privilege of a loyal fanbase that would listen to and buy anything they put out--is kind of amazing. It's what keeps me coming back to them. I love how much care they put into what they put out (even if it doesn't always align with my personal taste). Imagine going 15 years (half their lives) with a group and having so much affection for that group that you still want to continue despite being very capable of making money and having success doing solo projects (acting, variety shows, solo music).
It's why solo-stans irritate me quite a bit. And why comparisons of their music to other artists' fall flat. SHINee are masters of their instruments and are distinct in how they execute their performances. SHINee's music is their style because THEY are the ones doing it.
That scene with Minho that looks familiar, you might be remembering Key's Hate That with Taeyeon, the scene on the rock. Actually this mv is filled with references from other SHINee and solo releases such as Taemin's Advice with the piano and blue hands, the circular piano which reminds of Onew's circle, the animation much like Onew's Way with Punch. Also remembering Atlantis with the water background during Onew's part
Looking forward to seeing you react to the live.. and also the live performance of Juice. Very interested to know what you think about it since, from what I read, SM wanted Juice to be the title track
The scene with Minho... Key had almost the same shot in DCM, in the red outfit. It reminded me of it straight away. Maybe that is what you were remembering too?
I love all songs in the album. Shinee is the genre, they do not limit their self in only one genre
Thank for the reaction 💖
It’s more of 1st gen boy groups hiphop sound but like modern, they did have bsides same style in their early days but for long they weren’t doing that style anymore, Taemin did say he wanted a song like that as a tt to try that style of tt
I know hard is more of performance driven song and might not be everyone preference but the album is great in my opinion and I love they went softer and more personal and emotional for the bsides ( aside from the bside called juice lol) you would like the album I know you didn’t vibe much with dcm bsides but this album is more of what you would like
I might have to give it a go!
Onew's prechorous is my favorite part
Even though the song is not my cup o tea his voice makes it enjoyable to listen to it
I’m with you on the favorite part of the song - for me it’s definitely the bridge with Taemin’s sultry voice - ahhh, chef’s kiss! But overall I like this energetic escapade towards hip hop territory. Like you said - they’re so talented they can pull off literally anything they want :)
The album (of course) is not all like that, it’s diverse and offers something for everyone. The songs I particularly like are 10X (super jazzy and funky with amazing vocal harmonies) and Sweet Misery - a slightly slower song, with gorgeous melodies. Of course their vocals are absolutely amazing, they sound so mature, so diverse, one can really tell they’re an exceptional group of artists!
It more of 1st gen boy group seotaji and the boys type of song mixed with 90’s west coast 90’s hiphop which is what they were going for here, Taemin has been wanting that sound for a shinee tt for long time and he requested the song to be made, they mentioned fighting with the company over the song because the company didn’t want them to do that but they insisted to make it
They do actually have songs like that in their early albums from 2008 & 2009 their first two full albums were mainly mix of rnb, hiphop and electropop and they bring it back this comeback
The bsides as well are very modern refined version of their old early rookie albums sound. For their title tracks 80% of the title tracks sound different genres from one another actually they change up things a lot especially for the title tracks
Also yeah it gonna be mainly performance song like everybody etc….
I really enjoy this title track, I still have to listen to the album. There is something a little NCT about it (though obviously still very Shinee), as in I would love to pair this with Ay-yo in my playlist.
I like Key's voice and his dancing actions are amazing, it's fast and smooth🩷
Taemin and Onew rapping is a good find....I woud pay money to see all of them perform this album ......
This comeback is great and yes definitely had 90's boom bap west coast vibes. This is very SM coded but it sounded very NCT127 but with Shinee flare and vocals.
It’s mix of something they did as rookies with new feel I guess m and yeah the chorus is very 90’s hiphop west coast
The song is very chaotic and personally can be very overwhelming when listening to it along with the mv because the mv itself is a lot in its own way but on it’s own it’s better listen
It’s definitely a performance song they do these type of performance based title track whenever they come back from any sort of break it is to show they still able to release these type of performance based songs
I personally love the song, tho my downside for it is it should have been longer, an extra twenty seconds would have tied the song more together and I wish the pre-chorus for the last chorus when they say KO was different because that part does sound very nct despite the rest of the song sounding like shinee take on first gen hiphop, that little part does sound very nct127-ish
I don’t know if you will see this or not but I highly recommend the rest of the album because it’s 180 different than the title track (&the bside called juice that sound like their rookie songs), it’s softer, more emotional and personal
Lastly Onew wasn’t part of all the mv filming because he wasn’t feeling well and after that since then he has been on hiatus they perform the song and the bside juice on music shows as three and they cover his parts
I read every comment 💜
The album is very different. Juice is divisive however the rest of the album has all gotten generally great reviews. I’m a pretty unreliable source myself as I’m a hardcore Shawol and in my brain they couldn’t possibly do anything wrong, however other have agreed with me so I think it’s got some merit