'the king returns'

Guilty - The 4th Mini Album [mini review]

Rate: 8/10

Favourite Songs: Guilty, Not over You and Night Away

Taemin has released his highly anticipated album, the first once since completing his military service. We know and love Taemin for his conceptual creativity and all-round sophisticated music. In his almost 10-year solo career, he has successfully carved a unique space for himself in K-pop.

The title track, “Guilty” hooks us with its dark and gothic melodies, enhanced by Taemin’s powerful vocals. “The Rizzness” tries to convince us of its seriousness with its intense instrumentals. However, using the word “rizz” in any capacity robs Taemin of any coolness. The album continues with “She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not” a dreamy break from the weightiness of the previous songs. It needed a little more of a vocal push, however, it serves its purpose as a transition into the slower half of the track list. The mystery and intrigue continues with “Not over You”. It’s an unlikely standout for me, but I appreciated its lethargicness as Taemin laments his inability to move on from his lover. “Night Away” is another standout track on Guilty. Here, the instrumentals bloom in lushness and we are carried further away into the clouds with Taemin’s voice as our guide. Taemin finishes Guilty with the sombre and reflective track “Blue”. While it is the least memorable, it concludes the album with hope.

The Guilty album offers Taemin’s listeners a melodic and brooding dream. While the album’s concept and visual execution are provocative, his album does not match the promise of challenging its listeners. Rather, its melancholiness softens Taemin’s edginess. Overall, it is a pleasant album that is well-structured and cohesive. You’re bound to find a few tracks to add to your playlists. One can’t ask for anything more!