Taeyong has by no means been afraid to dive into his eccentricities. Over his almost a decade in music, the NCT chief has proven his penchant for the unconventional, be it along with his solo work (specifically final 12 months’s ‘SHALALA’) or the tracks he’s co-written and -produced for his boyband. Although, the Ok-pop idol proves that he has much more up his sleeves along with his new solo launch, ‘Faucet’, the place he strikes away from his quirky strategy to hip-hop in direction of a extra diverse palette of kinds.
Nonetheless, that is nonetheless Taeyong we’re speaking about, and his artistically oddball strategy to music nonetheless very a lot occupies an area on ‘Faucet’. In regular trend, he pulls components from quite a lot of genres to kind the muse of the mission’s title observe ‘Faucet’, formulated to evoke an innate sense of playfulness that’s distinctive to Taeyong. He doesn’t take himself too critically on the observe, making for an extremely enjoyable listening expertise, even when ‘Faucet’ does strive a bit too laborious to seize a bigger viewers than his earlier work.
The one different tune that actually faucets into Taeyong’s eclectic aspect is ‘APE’, a cheeky entry that speaks to his confidence. “I don’t observe the paper / Chasing goals all evening / It’s totally different from you, I’m not a celeb or businessman / I don’t promote my soul even when it’s getting boring, I can’t quit,” he asserts with a boyish cocksureness that truly holds water. Whereas not probably the most authentic lyrical materials, it certain is witty.
Nonetheless, for many of the ‘Faucet’ mini-album, Taeyong turns his consideration towards music that highlights his skills as a singer. Whereas the NCT star doesn’t have the widest vocal vary, he makes probably the most of his deep, arresting tone and charming rasp on the document to nice outcomes. It’s most obvious on the improbable piano-driven ‘Moon Tour’ and gloriously pop punk-influenced ‘Run Away’, the place he lays naked the rawness of his melancholia.
‘Ups and Downs’ is, maybe, the place we discover Taeyong most out of his regular aspect. The jazzy, if nearly elevator music-esque instrumental isn’t probably the most inspiring, but it matches his vocals like a glove. Lyric-wise, Taeyong doesn’t disappoint: his expertise for unparalleled storytelling is incomparable, however particularly so on ‘Ups and Downs’ as he speaks to the unstable actuality of romance: “Penalties, I do know, I do know, I made a decision / Reunion is frightening and trembling, however we are able to repair it / I hope my eyes taking a look at you a similar as bеfore.”
Album nearer ‘404 Loading’ is a transparent nod to ‘404 File Not Discovered’, a B-side from his debut mini-album ‘SHALALA’. The place the latter dabbled within the uncertainties of life confronted by younger adults, ‘404 Loading’ affords a extra hopeful outlook. “Attempt altering what has been determined and hug me / I’m residing within the second,” he belts on the refrain’ climax, declaring his need to problem “the gravity of the planet that pulls you”.
Taeyong is at all times pushing the envelope, and the consequence on ‘404 Loading’ is without doubt one of the greatest songs he’s ever produced in his burgeoning solo profession. Even Taeyong’s vocal efficiency on this observe emerges as one of the best on the album – every little thing from his falsettos to his raspy belts feels pumped stuffed with emotion and innate need; as listeners, we are able to’t assist however need to be a part of Taeyong on his journey as he flies past horizons.
Regardless of a really on-brand title observe, the remainder of ‘Faucet’ showcases completely totally different sides to Taeyong, proving that Ok-pop idol is greater than his eccentricities. He’s additionally in a position to faucet into his vulnerabilities and anxieties the identical method he does his edginess and, extra importantly, hit listeners the place they really feel it. ‘Faucet’ is a spirited effort in greedy the difficult spectrum of the human situation and feelings, and a masterclass in by no means judging a e-book by its cowl.
Particulars
- Launch date: February 26, 2023
- Document label: SM Leisure