SHINee DON’T CALL ME: In-Depth Album Review – I Really Want You

Enough of you asked for it, and who am I to deny? It’s time to dive deep into SHINee’s long-awaited comeback album Don’t Call Me, track-by-track.

1. Don’t Call Me // 2. Heart Attack // 3. Marry You // 4. CØDE // 5. I Really Want You // 6. Kiss Kiss // 7. Body Rhythm // 8. Attention // 9. Kind

I Really Want You

This is it, SM. This is your single right here. And come to think of it, “I Really Want You” would have made a very charming and clever album title after years of hiatus.

So much of an individual’s musical taste hinges upon what they grew up with. I was a disciple of artists like Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson and Prince. In their hands, every single element of a track became a rhythmic weapon — grooves upon grooves supporting each other to create music that really came to life. At their best, this is trait that SHINee are also capable of, and I don’t say that lightly. The retro funk-pop of I Really Want You is among my favorite genres of any era. It almost feels like this song was written with my own musical history in mind.

In fact, when I heard the short teaser for this track, all I hoped is that the full song wouldn’t mess things up. And to my surprise, the full version turned out even better than expected. The ridiculously catchy hook previewed prior to the song’s release stole my heart immediately. But here’s the thing… that’s not even the chorus! This titular refrain is still the best piece of I Really Want You, but it’s preceded by a big, brassy chorus à la Married to the Music.

The song’s clap-along beat and funk guitar forge an incredibly groovy backbone, and those stabs of percussion are absolutely epic. Instrumental accents, from bass to brass, add a sense of playful spontaneity to the production, and SHINee imbue their performance with just as much life. For me, this arrangement is the antidote to all those lurching, posturing boy group tracks you often catch me complaining about. This gets me dancing. It sounds like a party. Very few idol groups throw a funk spectacle as convincingly as SHINee.

I very nearly gave this a perfect rating, but it just hasn’t been around long enough for me to know whether I’ll be as excited months down the line. Maybe if they give it an mv and choreo, I could be convinced? Hint, hint… nudge, nudge…

Who am I kidding? It will probably get there either way!

Hooks 10 Production 10 Longevity 9 Bias 10 RATING 9.75

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