Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve.
Though Kai’s debut mini album isn’t exactly the sound I’d hoped to hear from him, it’s a very solid collection of modern r&b. And as expected from the teasers, title track Mmmh is one of its more boring songs. I understand why Mmmh was chosen for promotion, but it feels like a major missed opportunity not to give Nothing On Me a striking music video and dynamic live performance.
To my ear, Nothing On Me sounds tailor-made for today’s trends, melding Kai’s r&b sensibilities with a monster synth riff. It may be too overtly sexual for promotions, but that tense energy is one of its biggest charms.
The opening verse is underlined by distorted synths, twisted and dark and barely able to hold their form. It’s incredibly atmospheric, and shines spotlight on Kai’s vocals. This electronic backbone slowly transforms into something more rhythmic, adding pressure to the instrumental as the melody enhances the drama. This all builds to a brilliant drop. I’m not usually one for single-phrase hooks, but Nothing On Me‘s structure is so taut and focused. The simple chorus is like a knife through the air, cutting the tension in a moment of earned release. The track becomes more dynamic the closer you listen to it, and feels uniquely qualified to support Kai’s skills as a dancer. I know that SM doesn’t often release follow-up singles, but I wish they’d make an exception for this.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.75 |
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The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I like this one a lot, but for me the standout is definitely “Ride or Die.” I never thought I’d enjoy Kai tackling Weeknd-esque R&B so much, but that one is completely convincing.
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That drop hits. I remember my shock when I first heard it. I still hold (along with Rilekya and No No Noah) that Ride or Die is the best, but both tracks are really solid.
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it’s surprising that i love this mini as much as i do seeing that my exo bias isn’t kai, but i’m glad that sm has found a way to mesh his interests (i guess) through their future-ish filter they want to employ. i do love this track, especially the drop that i think works very well, but i (as everyone else has said) see ride or die as the obvious standout! overall, all of it is quite solid and i’m glad you view it as a positive effort on his part.
if you don’t mind me asking, what style do you envision him pursuing? my curveball choice would be that i would love to see him do something in the vein of wednesday campanella’s ‘melos’ and mondo grosso’s ‘labryinth,’ but was also very impressed by the dynamic performance and sound of his solo stage “i see you” – would love to hear your thoughts!
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Lol, I think everyone in the comments likes Ride or Die the best.
Nick, would you please mind ranking all the songs in the album? Or at least giving brief thoughts in the comments about Ride or Die?
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Oops, sorry Ferroroach, that was supposed to be a new comment (the comment above)!
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I’m still surprised that they didn’t pick this as the title track. SM has released more risqué title tracks in the past (I mean, wasn’t Mirotic banned in some stations?) and Nothing on Me is by far the flashiest (and arguably the best) song of the mini album.
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I love this song and I’m mad it isn’t the title track.
Sorry that it is unrelated to this post, but are you going to be doing a buried Treasure on Enhypen’s 10 months? Because I really feel that it is the by far the best song in their mini album and is just really satisfying.
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Ride or Die is the best song for me. It’s not just Abel Tesfaye-esque vibes. Kai’s vocals are more pleasant in that song. This one is slightly boring.
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I know I am late but here is my thoughts on the song:
Nothing On Me takes everything which makes Kai an enduring performer and pairs it with a distorted, almost chaotic Instrumental and in this way, It sounds like the theme instrumental for a villain when they arrive on to the scene. The first verse is Incredibly rhythmic and as it goes on, the backing vocals are added on to the song, Increasing the tension. We soon get launched onto to the song’s Epic Chorus!
This Instrumental is so amazing here, It sounds so apocalyptic and is a great backbone for the sharp hook powering the entire chorus. This is all awesome stuff but what is even better is the Ending. The bridge Is ethereal and eerie (thanks to the backing vocals of the track) and an excellent falsetto welcomes the listener onto the final chorus of the track. This chorus has no difference to the ones which came before it (The excellent Synth riff sounds amazing as always) but the Ad-Libs give it a well-deserved ending (much like Taemin’s criminal). Nothing On Me Also sounds like the concept SM Normally goes for, so you can just imagine a music Video. This might be one of 2020’s best album tracks and it will certainly be on repeat!
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MY RATING IS 9.5
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Je suis absolument d’accord avec la critique. J’adore mmmh mais ce n’est pas la meilleure chanson de l’album. Amnesia, Nothing on me, Ride or die. Reason and Hello Stranger sont excellentes. Elles ont un son qu’on ne retrouve pas chez EXO. Même chose pour le 2e album de Kai, Peaches est loin d’être la meilleure. Je préfère Come in. Par contre, dans les albums solos des membres de EXO, c’est ceux de Kai que je préfère.
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