Red Velvet’s Wendy has already established a successful solo career, but it’s existed mostly through ballads that suit her strong vocal power and expression. For new single Wish You Hell, she’s embraced an edgier sound that feels more in line with her group material.
As suggested by its title, Wish You Hell slots firmly within a specific template of ‘mid-tempo kiss-off track.’ There are many solo artists dabbling in this sound across the world and the style has enjoyed immense success over the years. It’s never done much for me, mostly because the energy is usually stuck in one gear and sing-song melodies tend to be the norm. Wendy makes for a reliably solid guide through Wish You Hell‘s emotional purge, her vocal flitting through the various segments with ease. In this way, the verses are stronger than the chorus. At least she gets to showcase her range.
Ultimately, the song is just too predictable for me. The chorus feels gimmicky and repetitive, harnessing a “been there, done” that melody that’s childish instead of empowering. And with hooks this obvious, there’s not much chance the song will grow more addictive with time.
Hooks
7
Production
8
Longevity
7
Bias
7
RATING
7.25