A K-pop act's title track isn't always the best song on their album, even if it's the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve.
Key never delivers a bad album. So, when I say Gasoline is not as consistently strong as past releases, it's less a knock on the album itself and more a recognition of the standard he's set for himself. For me, Gasoline drags in the middle. But, its first five songs (and of course, Another Life) make for a solid salvo. When I perused the tracklist before release, my eyes instantly fell upon the single production credit from LDN Noise. I knew we'd be in safe hands with this song. 'LDN Noise + SHINee' has given us View, Married To The Music, Guess Who, Shift and more. It's a foolproof match-up, and Guilty Pleasure is another feather in their cap.
I mean, this song has my name written all over it. I'll never not love a dance track at this tempo – especially when it's underpinned by such a delicious blend of synths. Like so many of my favorite pop songs, Guilty Pleasure is all tension and release. The verses build anticipation, pulled forward by icy synth strings and a looping groove that feels as if it might stretch for infinity.
Then, the chorus tugs on the rhythm, yanking back and punching forward. I've often compared this technique to a jet ski speeding through a body of water, relentlessly moving forward but hitting the brunt of waves as it makes its acceleration. It's one of those sensations I love in music, and I have the feeling Key shares my opinion. This pleasure is anything but guilty. It's an album highlight, and a shining example of Key's dancefloor prowess.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.75 |
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