I feel compelled to open this song review with an apology to Lee Jinhyuk. I write about his comebacks because I write about any notable K-pop comeback, but he and I seem to exist on separate musical wavelengths. I’m not sure there’s ever been a Lee Jinhyuk solo track I’ve fully enjoyed. I loved him in UP10TION, but the solo stuff just isn’t for me.
So, I’ll keep this short. New single Relax sees him in his element. It’s a bit silly and gimmicky, but the beat isn’t bad. The percussion is pitched at a frequency that’s a little grating, though its general vibe reminds me of Missy Elliott’s seminal 2001 hit Get Ur Freak On. That’s higher praise than I’ve ever given a Jinhyuk track, though the song itself doesn’t fully harness this potential. Still, the groove will get your head nodding and becomes especially lively when it segues into old-school breakbeats toward the end. With any luck, this might be a welcome turning point in his discography.
Hooks
7
Production
8
Longevity
8
Bias
7
RATING
7.5