- CRIMINAL - he wasn't messing around with this, he never disappoints me and this is seriously top tier of what i love and what only taemin can do. he really did create a sound that is all him and nobody else could do this song. sexy, dark, rich, stylistic, melodic, catchy, tells a story. mwah. not enough people are talking about the background vocals on the last chorus, too. to me, they make it that much more chef's kiss
- BLACK ROSE - i saw a performance of this and...i'm with lots of people who didn't see taemin doing this vibe but he still ate. but he gobbles everything up, he is the world eater of mood, dance and ambience. it actually fits him when you think about it and is always the vibe i hope for from taemin. not enough properly dark moods in kpop these days. i don't mean kids wearing all black and giving face, there's more to it than that and we are blessed to have taemin give it to us. he gives so much.
- STRANGERS - i really like this desolate sound. the vocals he's giving are so solid and evocative.
- WAITING FOR - ABSOLUTELY. YES. instant fave. haunted latin piano but make it hip hop? fantastic. that bridge was doing far too many good things to let me breathe. this gave me slower, sexier UZA vibes, i just kept picturing that attic for some reason. i love that for him.
- FAMOUS (KOREAN VERSION) - this is just kind of a taemin anthem/theme, right? model, star, artist, diva, sexy, he is everything and he is reminding you. in case you bumped your head and forgot. but also the groove is so good in this once, it's a bop.
- CLOCKWORK - it is time for a slow down to convey some more somber emotions. i can appreciate the way this reminds me of late 2000's kpop ballads. it's kind of the rare gem that sm used to put out but then it got updated and polished by taemin's throat and hands. so nice.
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JUST ME AND YOU - i like the epic combination with sentimentality. it's lovely. i made a face at that bridge because YES, ABSOLUTELY.
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NEMO - i really like this. i had to give it a second listen because i got interrupted but this gives me a little bit of that underwater feeling that's kind of my favorite. only a little though, but it may be intentional given the name?
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2KIDS - this got no promo and i wasn't in love with it at first. but i definitely like a lot more upon second listen. especially the way he sings on that chorus. taemin could make his own musical with this type of sound and i think it would be ground breaking, but that's just the feeling i get. i am not sure of the other words i could use to describe the feelings i get from this song, but it's special.
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💡 final thoughts: if you're reading this and don't already know what a legend taemin is i am confused to be honest. this isn't a meme, he literally is influential in the industry and is responsible for some of my faves getting into kpop so even if i didn't stan him from debut (which makes me emotional af), i'd owe him thanks and appreciation. let me tell you that not in my wildest dreams did i think seeing replay taemin that he'd ever be doing this, creating his own genre and delivering the highest of artistry and concept but i am so thankful. it's so sexy to know exactly what you're doing, who you are and just being talented like this. smh. another solid release from taemin. i am looking forward to another act!
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