On the heels of fellow EXO members D.O. and Chen, Suho has just released his newest solo album. This was preceded by Cheese, featuring fellow SM artist Wendy. That track, and new single 1 to 3 (점선면), borrow heavily from 70's rock influences.
While Cheese's influences felt more interesting that the song itself, 1 to 3 crystallizes its sound into a commanding burst of rollicking rock. I'm not sure we've ever heard something like this from an idol performer, and that's quite exciting. Not only does the track feature a pounding beat and surging guitar, but it's laced with organ (or at least... synth organ?). This touch instantly gives it character and ensures the production feels grand and exciting. Extra elements, like the spacey guitar flourish following the first chorus, add a sense of epic energy.
Suho never gets lost in the bombast, though I wish his performance felt a little rougher around the edges. This style of song calls for as powerful and gutsy a vocal as you can throw at it. Similarly, I feel like 1 to 3's melodies often play second fiddle to the fantastic instrumental. It's not enough to dull the song's power, but it makes this feel like a stepping stone to something even bigger and bolder.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
Grade: B
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