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
Body Rhythm
One of the great things about SHINee’s mighty vocal blend is how well it works within any genre. Up to this point, the songs on Don’t Call Me have largely centered around synth-heavy funk pop (except for, ironically, the title track!). Body Rhythm swerves in a different direction. This works well as part of the album’s second half. It’s every bit as groovy as the tracks that precede it, but harnesses a sinuous reggae/dancehall rhythm all its own.
Body Rhythm opens with Taemin’s evocative vocal. He quickly pulls us into the song, and I doubt many listeners will be refusing his advances. I love how the verse and pre-chorus weave their way between vocalists. We don’t hear the guys sing in unison until about a minute in, and this prolonged tease gives the chorus plenty of impact.
The vocals and instrumental work seamlessly together, tracing the same lines without distraction. This isn’t the kind of song that needs to get fussy with its sound or structure. It finds a central groove and plays with it for three minutes. In different hands, this might come across as monotonous or unconvincing, but SHINee’s vocals have such strength and character. I can’t imagine getting bored with Body Rhythm, as repetitive as it might be.
I tend to complain about “moody” songs quite often on The Bias List, but they’re not all bad. This is the kind of mood I can get down with.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
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The “body body rhythm” part is delicious.
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“I doubt many listeners will be refusing his advances” made me laugh because it’s true: I will not. I can’t simply listen to SHINee telling me to follow their body rhythm and then not comply.
Their performance is absolutely beautiful again and the groove is incredibly addicting. Once it starts I can’t tear myself away from this song because I’m hit with a different hook every few seconds (special mention to the whoaa- yeah progression, I love an ascending scale and the way it’s sung..yes). I think out of all the tracks I have replayed this one the most.
From beginning to end, this song is irresistible.
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I love this song. It’s my 2nd favorite on the album. I really enjoy when kpop uses the harmonies of a genre along with its melodic & instrumental features, & it’s an immersive experience from Taemin’s first note. Key especially sounds great on this track, & I love the “oh my my my” in the chorus.
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Weirdly enough, this is my favourite song of the album. I know Nick you have mentioned how growing up with Janet Jackson and the like has influenced your musical sensibilities, and it’s the same for me, except I was exposed to a lot of latin/reggae stuff as a kid, and therefore forever a slave to that sort of lazy groove.
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