Taemin is back with sultry K-pop EP
The prince of sultry K-pop is back! The gothic, fall season is here and the prolific Taemin returns with some appropriately atmospheric music on a new EP titled “Guilty.” It is his first release since completing his mandatory military enlistment in the South Korean army in April 2023.
Taemin cut his teeth in the spotlight by starting out in boy band SHINeebut has emerged as a strong solo artist in the last nine years, with four previously released full-length albums under his belt. “Guilty” marks his fourth mini album – and proves that it only takes Taemin six tracks to realize a robust comeback.
Dramatic, mysterious, sometimes unsettling but always dreamy, “Guilty” is an offer one can’t refuse.
It would be inaccurate to say he’s back and better than ever, because he was never not excellent. “Guilty” is Taemin just being just Taemin, surpassing himself not by being better but by being different. This EP is a pivot from the cool, synth-wave Taemin who explored themes of Stockholm syndrome on “Criminal” from his 2020 album “Never Gonna Dance Again,” or the cool R&B-meets-dance pop cool Taemin of his 2021 EP “Advice” to, well, a new kind of cool on “Guilty.”
From the theatricality of a 30-piece string ensemble on the title track, the record feels like a grand, triumphant return to music. And it certainly doesn’t remain stagnant: dynamic synths and magnetic vocals – complete with spooky, ASMR-esque whispers – complete the song.
With “Guilty,” Taemin puts another notch on his great music belt.