ONF MY IDENTITY: In-Depth Album Assessment – Nothing However A Stranger (On Staff)

1. The Stranger // 2. Night time Story // 3. Nothing However A Stranger (On Staff) // 4. Anti Hero (Off Staff) // 5. Good Place // 6. Collab

NOTHING BUT A STRANGER

Most ONF albums characteristic at the very least one ballad/mid-tempo, and My Identification is not any completely different. This time, it comes courtesy of the group’s “On Staff,” consisting of members Hyojin, E-Tion and Minkyun. That’s a vocal powerhouse proper there, making Nothing However A Stranger an actual deal with for these in search of a showcase of their abilities.

With this stated, I really feel just like the track comes too early within the album. Ballads are difficult issues that may stall momentum if you happen to’re not cautious. There’s a motive they’re usually included as the ultimate (or near last) observe on a pop album. In terms of ONF ballads, 2021’s I.T.I.L.U stays a excessive water mark I can’t assist however evaluate Nothing However A Stranger to, however slightly than go full-on musical theater bombast the fellows have taken a jazzier strategy this time. Having seen their tour final yr, it’s clear they take pleasure in performing this type of fabric and that sense of pleasure comes by with every vocal flourish.

Given my choice for uptempo bangers, this was by no means going to be my favourite observe. Nonetheless, I can admire the talent that goes into it and their silky easy efficiency compensates for the drowsy tempo and considerably rote melodies. If nothing else, the track definitely establishes an evocative temper. Enjoyable truth: that is the one track on the album not composed/produced by their primary collaborator Hwang Hyun.

Grade: C+