Review: The Rose - Childhood

Debuting in 2015 as an indie rock band, The Rose have had one of the strangest and most colorful stories ever associated with a Korean musical group. Growing to success through a strong fandom, making their major label debut, getting screwed over by their label, suing their label, entering military hiatus at the same time, and finally returning triumphantly, hopefully to commercial success.

Childhood is their return, paired with a music video that borders between art and gratuitous shirtless guys, a strange combination to say the least. Ignoring the bizarre video, Childhood is a nostalgic guitar-strumming ballad. This is such a classic genre that has been beaten to death, but will likely never die because a good ballad can go very far. Thankfully, Childhood has a few things going for it.

The first and most obvious reason; Woosung. The Rose's main vocalist has an incredible timbre, along with vibrato skills he is more than willing to use whenever needed, and even beyond that. Childhood is probably the first time in a while he utilized his skills in a song for The Rose, and he plays it much safer. Minus the chorus, he never breaks into his famous vibrato.

Restraint is actually the central tool used by Childhood. the song never explodes, instead slowly pulling your heartstrings with nostalgic bars and singing. This is quite a genius move, and even the subtle piano plays come off as twice as effective due to it.

Nonetheless, I wish Childhood went somewhere. The lyrics are wonderful and introspective, and I understand the thematic reason for this silence. But for once, I wish there was more to the climax. Dojoon's voice, but nonetheless, Childhood is another strong entry into The Rose's discography, with more than a few feels.

Rating: 8.5/10

Listen to and purchase The Rose's Childhood right here!

Image Source: Kpop Wiki