SNSD’s Taeyeon can always be counted on for a long-lasting chart hit, but this summer’s Heaven didn’t seem to have the stranglehold on the public the way most of her singles do despite hinging on similar elements as Sabrina Carpenter’s world-conquering Espresso. New single Letter To Myself is a more comfortable fit for Taeyeon, drawing upon her emotive singing style.
This time around, she’s tackled a rock sound. Letter To Myself switches between soft verses and a big, singalong hook. It manages to be both explosive and restrained. As boisterous as the song grows, you never get the sense that Taeyeon will unleash an Alanis Morissette-style rant. Despite Letter‘s cathartic nature, it’s still quite buttoned up when it comes to structure and scope.
Sonically, the song reminds me of Red Velvet’s Psycho at times. Psycho is one of those singles that everyone but me seems to love, and I worry I might have a similar feeling about Letter To Myself. The track is polished and well-performed, but I feel like I can predict its every move before it happens. There’s a lockstep formation to the structure that neuters much of its potential emotion. With that said, the chorus works well — particularly its opening, titular line. I also appreciate the post-chorus, which delivers anthemic heft. Letter To Myself concludes with a soaring, Britpop-esque instrumental that should have underlined the entire track. As usual, Taeyeon elevates the whole thing with her idiosyncratic delivery.
Hooks
8
Production
8
Longevity
9
Bias
7
RATING
8