It’s hard to believe Sunmi has never released a full-length album until now. If we count her time with Wonder Girls, she’s been an active idol for eighteen years and a soloist for twelve. It’s a shame this album couldn’t have emerged when she was knocking out back-to-back classics like Heroine and Siren, but it’s still a long overdue project.
Sadly, Sunmi’s work hasn’t hit strongly with me in years. She’s been on a more downtempo kick since 2022, switching producers for music that’s lacked the thrilling spark of her best work. To borrow the title of this new single, you might say I’ve become cynical towards the Sunmi sound. With the stage set in this way, Cynical makes a welcome u-turn back towards dance music. Ultimately, it’s too one-note to fully recapture her full potential, but flashes of brilliance poke through here and there.
Cynical‘s verses are far more effective than its chorus. They’re moody and evocative, drawing power from Sunmi’s inimitable tone. I only wish the composers could have found a better hook to tie everything together. The “why so cynical?” refrain quickly wears out its welcome. It’s just too simple to satisfy — even with its off-kilter vocal arrangement. A peak of hope glimmers at the song’s conclusion as this chorus transitions into a more full-throated finale. We could have used this kind of melodic oomph throughout the entire track.
Hooks
7
Production
8
Longevity
8
Bias
9
RATING
8