Crush lost the plot
How to lose yourself through inspiration
Wonderego is the 3rd full length album of the Korean singer and composer, Crush. In this album, each track sounds like a perfect recreation of different R&B micro-genres. Songs that are so overly polished and compressed that they end up losing the spontaneous spirit of Rhythm and Blues. Unfortunately for Crush, I won’t let it slide.
Crush is an artist that I strongly appreciate. After finding his music in the 7th grade, I have given his projects my unwavering support. I believed that he was different from the big Korean stars who leave behind their artistry in favour of what their company wants, a true artist! He has shown how dedicated he is to his music by showcasing his piano skills, composing skills and amazing vocal runs. Over the years, his music has continued to fill my music catalogue. However, this last album hasn’t won me over like his other projects. It scared me to see how soulless this album was.
We all know that in the industry, especially in pop, songs are often written by multiple people.If we hadn’t embraced this, music from the 60’s until now would be VERY different. In Korea, they are more than often written by african-americans and then directly translated into Korean. It can create really good projects. Groups such as EXO, Red Velvet and Girl’s Generation would have been nowhere without International collaboration. However, when it comes to k-R&B, artists usually write for themselves and Crush especially. When going through the credits of his albums, you can notice that Wonderego is his most outsourced album, and it shows. It’s good to collaborate but in this case it created a body of work void of an identity.
For your understanding, this is how I knew of Crush. He was a collaborative artist untested in the intricacies of making the grooviest of music. Exchanging creative sparks with the likes of Dean, Zion.t and Stevie Wonder. Being part of FanxyChild, I saw a lot of potential in all of the members, an opinion that has sadly changed… To truly see his musical passion, nothing can display that more than this promotion for OHIO, my favourite single of his.
I hope that this shift in his music is temporary and that it isn’t too influenced by his label and the few controversies he’s been under lately. To understand the impact of these stresses we must investigate on the following; his relationship with Joy and how the public reacted to it, the constant exodus of artist under his current label (PNation) and the concert racial favouritism incident from a while ago. I believe that these factors contributed largely in the desperate value of this project. His need to create a strong impact can be felt through his collaboration with J-Hope and his overly pop records he’s been putting out.
Whatever the cause of this musical shift, I believe that Crush can do better and should strive to. When you see what his peer, Dean, has been doing it makes you wonder where or what he could do if he stuck to his love for music. I want more authentic Crush. But now I wonder, was this his authentic self to begin with… Eh, I doesn’t really matter.
Track Ratings:
New Day
I can’t see myself listening to this everyday. It’s kind of too busy, but because its an opening its not a problem 6/10
Hmm-cheat
Sounds like a replica of the 90s boy band groove, it’s done so exactly that it feels like an hommage. The lyrics are also so boring and typical. The composition is crazy and shows a lot of musical knowledge, it’s just unfortunate that it was used that way. Also, kind of sounds like a High-School Musical song hahaha idk… 6/10
No break
Amazing beat but also sounds like an H&M song. It’s not that different from his other album’s songs. I could see myself slowly liking it. He usually has one dance-pop song per album like chill featuring Sik-K from his other EP. 7/10
Me myself and I
Sounds like a Lucky Daye song… not much more to say. 6.5/10
Satisfied
My favourite beat of the album. Lyrics also, what even is this. I wish I could take penomeco out of it. It’s also very short. 7/10
Deep end
Boring. 6/10
EZPZ
Clearly meant to be a tiktok trend… The internet sound and jersey-like beat…It’s so strange. 8/10 for catchiness 5/10 for the way it makes me feel. Overall, 6.5/10
Nothing else
WHERE AM I???? 2/10
Got me got you
Ok,,,beat is kinda fire. Actually nvm no. Ok no yeah hell no. 4/10
Bad habits
Sounds more like him. The only thing that isn’t him is obviously the beat but it’s good so it passes. It’s a shame the feature is a weirdo but that’s life I guess. Just because it doesn’t bring anything new or solid 7.5/10
Ego
Okkkkkkk I like this. Idk why but everything works here. It has his usual adding of onomatopea and playfulness. It’s more fitting. The best of the album. I think that this song was also supposed to be popular.
8.5/10
Ego’s theme (interlude)
Stevie wonder influences are here! It’s just beat so I won’t rate it.
A man like me
Ok BOBBY BROWN, BoysIImen, BROWNSTONE, SWV OKKKKK… WE GET IT YOU LISTEN TO 90’s RnB. 7/10
For Days to Come, Harness, Monday Blues, You, SHE, Remember Me:
(In order of preference) I think that they were ordered wrong because they fall flat. Maybe if they were more dispersed they would be more impactful but I also think i’ll need more time to appreciate them. They’re mostly 6/10
Overall Score: 6.2/10
