#didnt mean to post yet smndkfnfkdns

[maxellminidisc]

Putting my thoughts under read more cause y'all know I talk A LOT when it comes to music, and once again I'm a person who is honest about what I like and what I don't, my ultimate faves are not exempt from my personal critique so be warned if you dont like reading anything but glowing reviews for everything!!!

Hard- I'm genuinely growing to dislike this song the more I hear it which honestly bums me the fuck out. There are slight improvements in the parts I ALREADY liked about it aka the vocal base, with Onew in the studio version. But once again, my biggest gripe with it is 2 things: you can separate this song into maybe 3 distinct tones, genres, and instrumentals that as separate parts work well but as instrumental tones only 2/3 of these section fit well with the artists in terms of suiting their vocal styles and their identity and it saves the song from being a complete let down. The 3rd section that does NOT suit them is unfortunately the obvious highlight for this song (the hip hop/rap sections obviously) and because it doesnt play on their strong suits it ends up feeling almost, and I hate to say this, shallow in comparison to the stronger parts of the song and thus sticks out even MORE with the vocal heavy part so soon and so close to them. Oddly because it has such good bones but not the right construction, it makes it so much more frustrating to me.

Personally, I disagree with people who say it's a hybridity that works because it really doesn't, at least not to me. And that brings me to my second issue with it: there is such a jarring lack of well executed transitions, not only from the songs actual structure aka opening introduction to verse to pre chorus to chorus to bridge and so on and so forth but also the tones or mood trying to be set with these swift and again, very glaring transitions. There's not very much gradient in how they switch up and it can leave your brain processing and trying to catch up to the softer more confidently casual -> "harder" more energetic mood or attitude this song is trying to shift and set from section to section. There IS an attempt, mostly in how the piano melody runs through out until the main chorus as the common thread to tie them together, but its not enough. This song is really bottom of the barrel for me on this album, and frankly I think it should've stayed in the vault until it was properly constructed. I owe Dem Jointz an apology cause this isnt even his doing, his doing is the next song and because THIS one comes before it, it already comes off as an improvement kajdifnfkfkks

Juice- ok so this is so funny to me because Juice does what Hard was TRYING to do. It sets up that kind of bad boy, cocky attitude nicely with its production and instrumentals nicely!! Its taking a 4th gen-esque sound and adapting to this group's strengths. Its transitions feel logical, and most of all well executed because Dem Jointz basically takes melodies from say the verse to the chorus and extends them before transitioning to their own individual identities, takes lush complimentary melodies and puts them in the background through longer playtimes between sections and create even more of a similar and expanding pallet etc. Other reason it works? Vocals are the highlight, rap elements are kept at a minimum and a lot of it is more sing talk than rap. The harmony highlight near the end just feels like the neatly tied ribbon on the gift box.

10X- Love love that this feels like a classic Shinee vocal journey with a punchier treblier beat and an emphasis on a piano driven simpler Jazz chord melody. This is in the pocket of their ultimate strength: making nostalgic even classic sounds and melodies feel fresh again. It's not super strong or super weak, it's just right for its placement in the tracklist.

Satellite- Something about this song bothers me, can't 100% pin what it is but it's not like irksome enough to not let me enjoy it, might actually be the end, the build up to the end feels like it doesn't end up having "pay off"?? Like say you're enjoying the party and someone suddenly switches on the light?? Idk but I do however like the lighter feeling she has and I enjoy the touch of disco/funk fusion in the chorus, especially with that guitar riff going through the whole song. It feels light heartedly melancholic, like being the throws of love and loving every minute of it.

Identity- She is my girl, she is it, she is for me!!!! I know some people are like she should be a title track, but she's not necessarily a strong radio play contender. She's a dark horse pop song in the best way. She is absolutely that rare b side that gets some air play a few times in its release month cause the disc jockey knows it's too good to ignore and makes whoever happens to be lucky enough to be listening in the moment google what song it is asap. What a fantastic dance track, she's groovy and sexy without being in your face about it cause she doesn't have to try hard. Also agree this could 100% be a Key solo track without question

Said I wasnt going to do it but fuck it, I'm giving the album a thorough listen right now. Thoughts incoming lol