Infinite members have remained busy since their return in 2023, and that includes solo projects. As a massive fan of the group (I’d still consider them my ultimate bias), I haven’t cared for much of the music to come from this era but I wish the guys well and hope for their continued success.
Main vocal Nam Woohyun has returned with a new mini album and taken on a rock guise for title track Only Forward (Only 직진). This has always been a great sound for him, highlighted by the excellent self-penned Everyday way back in 2016. And boy, do his vocals sound good here. He remains one of my favorite vocalists in K-pop (probably number one, honestly) and Only Forward gives him full reign to belt as loud and powerfully as he’d like. I love nothing more than hearing his voice over equally energetic tracks, which is why he’s always been such a key ingredient to Infinite’s success.
However, Only Forward feels like yet another song that doesn’t live up to its performer. I don’t know if it’s just because Infinite set the bar so high during their peak, but all this recent material feels inessential. I appreciate that it’s self-penned and carries a sentiment that’s very applicable to Woohyun’s recent experiences, but taking that aspect away the song itself feels a bit too generic. Thankfully, it’s buoyed by Woohyun’s forceful and compelling performance and that’s enough to boost it over the line.
Hooks
7
Production
8
Longevity
8
Bias
9
RATING
8