What to do with a solo Lucas single in 2024? I’ll let others rant about the moral implications of debuting him as a soloist. I’m very good about separating the artist from the art. As a rabid Michael Jackson fan, that’s become a necessity! As always on this blog, I’d like to focus on Renegade as a piece of music.
This song has been promoted with a pair of music videos, presumably interconnected. I didn’t feel the need to watch both, but I embedded them below if you’re feeling curious. In the past, SM Entertainment gave Lucas a solo of sorts with the 2018 Station release Coffee Break. That track was a pleasant surprise, delivering a potent shot of jazzy funk that fit him surprisingly well.
In contrast, Renegade is a leaden, joyless screed that’s meant to invoke power. It’s anthemic, but in a hollow Imagine Dragons way that feels inauthentic. There are some cool production flourishes here and there, especially during the dramatic bridge. But overall, the chorus is too repetitive and shouty to leave much impact. Given the controversy swirling around the track, its incessant bravado was probably not a smart way to go. It’s solid, but not solid enough to cut through the noise.
Hooks
8
Production
8
Longevity
7
Bias
7
RATING
7.5