About a month ago, we got word of an Infinite comeback. It was vague, but that combination of words will always get my heart racing. As the weeks went on, it became clear that this release would be a “song for the fans” anniversary single and not a full, promoted title track. I can’t say I’m surprised, but expectations definitely dulled as more information came out.
Flower reunites the group with composer BLSSD — one half of the duo Rphabet who produced classics like Back and Bad. The stakes are decidedly low here, as they usually are for this style of song. This pleasant, sentimental mid-tempo gives us ample space to appreciate Infinite’s vocals, and that’s always a treat. However, there’s nothing about the song that would make me choose it over any other track in the group’s discography. It feels more like a placeholder than a highlight — an issue I’ve had with most of their music since their long-awaited return last year.
Flower is at its best when wafting along wispy strings and upbeat percussion. Its chorus has an optimistic drive that reminds me of a less bombastic Begin Again from their 2018 album. The melodies are fine, but pale in comparison to the magic they were able to forge with Sweetune. More than anything, the song echoes my concern that the group are simply going through the musical motions rather than pushing forward with a new, exciting arc of their career. I should probably be grateful for anything they want to gift us, but as a super-fan I can’t help but be extra critical and want the absolute best for them.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 7.75 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
bro it’s a anniversary digital single that sounds like something they’ll perform at the end of a summer concert i don’t know what you expected and i don’t get the incessant begging for sweetune when blssd has made half of their discography
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like i’m sorry but they could’ve called it quits years ago and with woollim’s abuse i would’ve too and they went on to fund their own little startup company just so we can get treats like this at least once a year and you’re still huffing and puffing for sweetune which has already made it known for the last 5 or so years no big company contacts them anymore since their covid-initiated rebrand and i know music is what makes the group but they are so much more than that and to waffle on this much about your gripes over a fan song where there wasn’t even enough budget to produce teasers outside of a hobby lobby studio…save the “super critical concern” for if they goof up a real future comeback 😭
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Yes, and I rated it as such and clearly said my expectations were dulled going in.
Also, BLSSD/Rphabet composed like eight songs out of more than a hundred, so hardly “half” of their discography.
The fact is, even when it comes to fan songs they’ve got way better ones in their discography. I don’t think we should just be thankful that an artist is actively releasing music. I’m not saying they owe us anything, but if they’re going to re-engage in music, we should all want them to challenge their artistry and not simply churn out generic, by-the-numbers work just to have something out. Otherwise, what’s the point?
Granted, this probably isn’t an appropriate criticism for a song like this but there aren’t many chances to discuss new Infinite music these days. And, it’s a broader feeling I have about their current work and many other older groups who return from a long hiatus. It’s just something that tends to happen in the arc of a pop star’s career and I’d hate to see it happen to my faves.
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Sweetune made the majority of their title tracks (at least 9 if I count correctly), and produced a lot of their earlier albums. For Rphabet, I count 4 or 5 title tracks. So, I absolutely get where Nick is coming from..
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as someone who is getting into infinite, I can say that this is just…ok
8/10 for me
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I actually liked it more the second time I listened to it, without the MV. (The MV isn’t bad, I just hate the way K-pop finds aging so terrifying, to the point where handsome, healthy men in their early thirties, who have already had plastic surgery to boot, still need the Vaseline-on-the-lens treatment.) Someone on Reddit perceptively compared it to “Tell Me” and this does feel like a fuller, less sample-dependent version of that song.
I do get the impression that they don’t have a lot of musical ambition as a group right now. Sunggyu and Woohyun may find it easier to satisfy their musical aspirations in their respective solo careers (maybe Dongwoo too? I’m not sure, his solo work never really took off), L is busy with acting, Sungyeol wasn’t cast for his voice in the first place (although why he isn’t doing more variety / comic work is beyond me, I’ve been hoping for him to open his own YouTube channel for years), and Sungjong is probably preoccupied with extracting himself from his previous company, I hope he comes out of that mess well compensated for his time.
Also I wonder if there isn’t some managing of expectations going on. A full-blown Infinite comeback at the level we would love might get criticism if it didn’t feature full-blown Infinite choreography, and they might not have the desire or even the time to commit themselves to an impressive routine. (I had an Inspirit friend who even speculated that “New Emotions” was short not just to match current trends but to make the choreo easier, especially since Woohyun would’ve been just out of surgery as they were creating it.) Whereas this is telegraphing “FAN SONG” so strongly that we can’t really complain. (Well, we can–I miss the Infinite of “The Chaser” and Reality just as much as you do, Nick–but it’s not going to get us very far.)
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I don’t know why ‘for the fans’ has to mean ‘we’ll just make something mediocre because the fans will love it anyway’. If you want to do something for your fans specifically, why not make sure it is well thought out and.. good?
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I like the song fine, but agree that it doesn’t live up to their usual fare. But I’m really bothered by the use of autotune. Sung Kyu and Woo Hyun do not need to be autotuned! OTOH, L sounds great!
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a bit disappointed at first listen but seeing them sing in the mv kinda made me wanna cry even just as a casual stan
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Well I’ll take it. It is refreshing to hear people actually singing too. Not intoning or “vibeing” or some pastiche of rapping.
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My thoughts are literally the same.. it is good to hear them actually singing
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Of course, others’ perception may differ but this is a lot likeable for me. As one of the commenters Mymagoogle mentioned above: “It is refreshing to hear people actually singing too. Not intoning or “vibeing” or some pastiche of rapping“.
And aside from that, I also appreciate the efforts they have put in to coming together and bring this to life. It may sound strange to some but as long as my favourite 2nd generation groups are coming back, I will just treasure it.
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there was a time when Infinite was one of my top male k-pop groups….not so much now….i still wish them the best, thought….
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