Final week, EXO’s Chanyeol pre-released the extremely gentle Comfortable Accident as a teaser for his new album. When listening to that music, I hoped he had one thing with extra chew coming down the road subsequent. All through his solo profession, Chanyeol has experimented with rock textures and that’s confirmed to be match for him. With Upside Down, he returns to that properly.
The distinction is that, in 2025 there are numerous extra artists enjoying inside this soundscape. What as soon as felt daringly grungy now comes throughout as the newest in a pattern, and that may boring a music’s total impact. Upside Down turns up the distortion in an try to extra totally discover the style. Whereas this may occasionally give the observe a extra “genuine” sound, it additionally makes it much less pleasurable to take heed to. I assume that’s the purpose, however I’m long gone the purpose the place I want my pop/rock stars to sound “genuine.” I actually simply need them to launch killer songs.
Upside Down will not be a killer music. It’s a killer temper, I assume. It’s a killer soundtrack to punching in partitions and moping round soiled alleys. It’s an honest sufficient vessel to channel emotion, and there’s a spot for that sort of music even when it may not be by myself playlist. Whereas Upside Down has fashion in spades, it’s yet one more underwritten Ok-pop observe with forgettable hooks masked by in-your-face manufacturing. The mantra-sung cadence of the refrain works properly sufficient however feels extra focus-grouped than a music like this could. In the meantime, the verses exist to fill house, missing the sonic or emotional pathos to really compel.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Manufacturing | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.5 |
Grade: C
