For those who’re not absolutely conscious that KAI, AKA Kim Jongin, is likely one of the finest pop stars alive, it is advisable catch up already. From his work within the teams EXO and SuperM to his completely hopeless solo discography, KAI reinvents himself with each comeback. Now he’s again with the third mini-album Roverand we’re offered with a model new KAI once more.
Six songs every, every of KAI’s solo albums tells a novel story and showcases totally different sides of the multi-faceted artist. From the futuristic AI-inspired world of his debut to the smooth sweetness and temptation of peaches, KAI by no means fails to shock us. Now with rover, he additional expands his repertoire, with influences spanning many years and the world.
“Rovers”
Protecting the custom of his earlier works, Rover opens with the title observe. However that is the place the familiarity ends. ‘Rover’ is a heavy dance observe that (we name it now) has a number of the finest Ok-Pop choreo of 2023. The music is definitely a remake of ‘Mr. Rover, a Bulgarian pop music from final 12 months, which as soon as once more exhibits that KAI’s means to attract inspiration from everywhere in the world is aware of no bounds. One among KAI’s strongest options is his husky vocal tone, and it exhibits all through the album, however particularly in ‘Rover’, when he switches between vocals and spoken phrase.
The music video for “Rover” is beautiful, stuffed with the superb outfits you’d anticipate from one of the crucial fashionable folks in music. Just like the observe itself, it tells the story of KAI’s fixed reinvention as he breaks free, and even breaks the legislation, to stay authentically as himself with out limits.
One of many best possible moments within the music video is when KAI creates one other faux ID named “Mr. Elliot Billy” and seemingly makes use of it to purchase tickets to the ballet. As followers know, KAI has skilled in ballet from a younger age and has overcome many obstacles to get to the place he’s now, making him EXO-L’s very personal Billy Elliot.We love seeing KAI’s tongue-in-cheek humor come by means of right here.
‘Black Mirror’
KAI is likely one of the sharpest artists in Ok-Pop, and he proves it on “Black Mirror.” With lyrics like “Flash, click on, play, change” KAI pokes enjoyable at our technology’s habit to social media, retaining us as hooked on the hip-hop observe as we’re to our Instagram feed. The music ends with “Child, kiss these angles,” adopted by the sound of KAI blowing a kiss. Which makes us really feel… good and regular.
‘Slidin’
‘Slidin’ undoubtedly looks like essentially the most acquainted model of KAI. It is a softer R&B music that describes the inevitability of falling in love, so it is not impossibly arduous to image it on Peaches. However like a variety of Roverthis has a tinge of tartness that the sweetness of Peaches simply not. His vocals actually shine right here, and with a observe like this we will already assume it will have some basic KAI choreo. Hopefully, with the discharge of a model new one MOVIE: KAI, on March twentieth, we can’t have to attend too lengthy to see it!
“Bomb”
Reggaeton is a big affect in Ok-Pop proper now, so it is solely pure that one of many trade’s finest would give it a strive! “Bomb” is precisely that second, and we’re obsessed. The lyrics, which encourage followers to stay freely, harken again to the title observe, and we love a full-circle second. Everybody was curious when KAI did not launch an album on November thirtieth like he has executed in earlier years, however with how immediately summery ‘Bomba’ is, it makes good sense. Summer time begins in March now! We do not make the principles; Kim Jongin does it.
‘Inform me you Love Me’
With “Say You Love Me”, KAI actually mentioned that all of us need to have phrases of affirmation as a love language. After the carefree belief proven to date Rover, this observe is essentially the most intense and susceptible second. It highlights KAI’s notorious duality, and we love the way it provides to the ebb and circulation of the album.
‘Sinner’
“Sinner,” the album nearer, feels one million miles from the place we began with “Rover.” We began with full confidence and freedom, and we finish with KAI begging to be trapped, trapped by his personal actions and his fallen wings. The music describes the complexities of affection and heartbreak struggling to coexist with one another. The synth manufacturing is paying homage to ‘Experience Or Die’, nevertheless it looks like a quieter, extra mature iteration. Maturity and progress are sometimes overused measures of an artist’s success, however with the way in which KAI is continually evolving, it feels becoming.
It is actually superb how KAI can as soon as once more take us on such a journey and present us one thing fully new in simply six songs. Rover is each quintessential KAI and in contrast to something we have ever heard from him earlier than. It takes a very particular artist to create a piece that’s each fully the identical and fully totally different.
Which is your favourite observe on KAI’s Rover? Is that this your favourite solo album but? Tell us all the things it’s a must to say on Twitter @Fb or Instagram!
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