SHINee are the newest boy band from SM Entertainment and, despite the fact that they've only been active for a few weeks, are already causing a storm amongst Korean music fans. So it's time to take a look at the group's first release (the mini-album Nunan neomu yeppeo (Replay)) and see what all the fuss is about.
Nunan neomu yeppeo (Replay) opens the album with a smooth R'n'B-esque melody before the vocals kick in. The members' voices are incredibly smooth and mature-sounding, making it easy to see why they have drawn comparisons to their contemporaries DBSK. The song continues on a mid-tempo level but somehow doesn't become boring. The whole song makes it difficult to believe that they are so young (the eldest being just 18) when they sound like a boy band that have been in training for many years and have a lot more experience.
In my room is a ballad and is a slight disappointment after the first track. The song lacks much emotion and is very linear in its sound. Having said that, there are some nice vocal harmonies at certain points in the song, which show the potential of the group even if the song itself is less than inspiring.
The next song opens with a disco theme but also incorporates other styles such as pop and there is even a rap section. The song is very easy to listen to and makes the listener feel very summery. This is followed by Sa.Gye.Han (Love Should Go On), another summery song which is infused with synth sections and even subtle guitar parts in the background. While this song doesn't show of their vocal abilities as obviously as some of the previous tracks, it definitely has its moments and is an enjoyable song to listen to.
The closing track is a remix of the first track, Nunan neomu yeppeo (Replay). The track is less smooth than the original, as the backing track has been changed from the original to a more dance and rhythm centric track. While the remix may lack the strength of the original due to the vocals being lost in the mix, it is one of the more danceable tracks on this release.
This is a very strong debut release and shows great hope for the future. The product doesn't sound laboured or rushed in anyway and the group sounds as if they've been active for many years and are one of the more seasoned acts within the Korean music scene. It would seem that the hype has not been for nothing and that this is an act to keep an eye on in the future.
