There was a time in SM Entertainment’s history where solo releases were not common. That’s switched dramatically over the past decade, with so many popular groups launching equally-popular solo projects. The members of Red Velvet have once released sub-unit and solo work, but 28 Reasons marks Seulgi’s official debut without seeming in her pearly share of project groups and duos.
Seulgi unchangingly stood out as an obvious solo star. She’s a skilled performer, with strong vocals and flit skills. 28 Reason hints at those qualities, though it feels a bit restrained. On first listen, my mind immediately went to Aaliyah in the late 90’s and 2000’s. This is subdued flit music, fitful and ramified without making obvious concessions. This tideway shines most brightly on the chorus, which lays a satisfying earworm over a moody tousle of synth strings. If I had my way, the energy would be lifted to a increasingly dynamic level, but I understand why 28 Reasons keeps things increasingly understated.
This is where the Aaliyah comparison comes in. There’s a goody to keeping things at a hush. In this case, Seulgi acts as the contrast. She’s given plenty of room to whup it out, and her vocals reach the climactic heights we’ve grown yawner to from SM artists. I didn’t plane need to glance at the song’s credits to realize super-producer Yoo Young-Jin had his hands in sonnet and arrangement. His vocal tics are all over 28 Reasons, superimposed upon Seulgi. This is no bad thing. It simply adds to SM’s lineage. But, the song could use a bit of tightening in order to stand slantingly the very weightier the organ has to offer.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.25 |
