Review: Key's 'Bad Love' measures up to his legacy as SHINee's experimental star

If one artist has consistently dominated 2021, it would be SHINee. The K-Pop veteran group, well into their 13th year as artists, have consistently provided solid releases throughout the year. An amazing Korean full-length album, a repackage, and a Japanese mini-album just for the main group. Taemin released a mini-album, and now fashionista, lead rapper, and lead vocalist Kim Kibum, better known as Key, has come back with a new release.

The truly fantastic thing about this basket of releases would be its consistency. Every single one has been fantastic, and SHINee will almost certainly be everywhere over this site's end-of-year lists, and many others, I expect. Now, Key continues this consistency with lead-single Bad Love.

The thing with Key and SHINee is that their releases have always been well-ahead of the trend. Since his first solo, glitchy and futuristic elements dotted the landscape. SHINee's classic sound of electric funk to is now on trend. Thus, Key, now given creative control over the directing of his release, is able to merge trends with his classic sound.

From the glitchy and eerie opening moments, Bad Love is definitively a Key release. Then, with only a few seconds concluded, these glitchy beats merge together into '80s synths and percussion. This sound is currently in vogue, making it surprising how new they sound. A large part of this appeal certainly originates from the wide-screen appeal of the sound, courtesy of legacy producer Kenzie.

The production settles into a central groove within a few moments of the opening. However, do not mistake this for a monotone drive. Instead, the production and instrumentation shift as per the lyrics. When Key proclaims "It is better to completely forget, than to hate you", the instrumentation calms down, letting Key to take the lead. However, the momentum is not frozen, rather led into new avenues.

This leads to the song's central calling card; Key himself. During SHINee's commercial peak in the early-to-mid 2010s, Key's role in the group was often the most in-flux. His lines were often placed between the more impactful and powerful ones, sung by Onew, Taemin, and the late-and-great Jonghyun. For his raps, he mainly played a support-role to Minho.

Instead, his main impact came via his fashion and style. SHINee were not only a musical group, but they were trendsetters in the fashion industry, and Key played a large part in this. He often expressed autonomy for his outfits, and thus influenced the industry as a whole.

However, since his return from his mandatory military service, he has shown strong improvement in his singing ability. This was strongly apparent in Atlantis, with his much-expanded lineage studding a brilliant performance. His high-note at the climax of the song was truly a glimpse at his now-released ability.

Now, in Bad Love, Key tackles each line with euphoric yearning, with the control oft expected from main vocalists. While he ferociously tackles the more aggressive moments in the track, his fragile and melodic performance in the stunning pre-chorus shows a versatility to his singing that shatters expectations.

All the energy from the verses piles into the chorus. Cleverly, Kenzie has arranged this segment, vocally, into two separate groups. Keeping up with the production, a backing track, also sung by Key, provides the setting. Meanwhile, Key, in his main refrain, belts his lines with panache and style, with just a tinge of heartbreak.

If the song falters in any way, it would be the call-and-response of the bridge. The vocoder 'call' lines fail to have the set impact, even if Key gives his all.  Thankfully, the bridge soon moves onto more intense elements before absolutely exploding in the climax. Driven by more high-notes than one could ever expect from the track, Key and the instrumentation absolutely explode. Then, suddenly, the songs ends unexpectedly, almost mid-refrain. While initially a little disconnecting, it only encourages repeated listens.

As times evolve, most idol singers fade away. However, a few from previous generations stay, still making an impact years after debut. SHINee is one of those groups. Each of the members now stands as a acclaimed star in his own right, with their own artistry, over 13 years since their debut. With this single and accompanying mini-album, Key proves he is here to stay, and only grow.

Rating: 9.25/10

Image Source: The Bias List