Last November, VIXX’s Leo reminded us that he was still a force to be reckoned with. Now, he’s finally followed that one-off single with a new mini album. It’s been a long time coming – over three years, to be exact. New single Losing Game catches him right in his element. It’s a vocal-focused mid-tempo with plenty of slinky appeal.

Losing Game is quite groovy, even if its energy never rises above a hush. The beat is prodded along by bass guitar – so tactile you can almost feel it in your bones. This isn’t a complex or even dynamic groove, but it hits with palpable effect. Add some atmospheric synths to the arrangement and you’ve got a great base for Leo’s confident performance. As expected, he grabs the song by the collar and makes it his.

While all these elements add up to a satisfying whole, Losing Game feels a bit one-note for me. That one note is quite enjoyable, but I kept waiting for the track to reveal some kind of climax or melodic counterpoint. It feels like a tease all the way through, and that’s probably the point. Thankfully, the nimble chorus has a nice sense of push and pull that gives Losing Game some pathos. This is definitely a “mood” track, and Leo’s evocative voice is well-suited to that task. As dynamite as he is when singing ballads, it’s nice to hear something rhythmic as well.