SNSD’s Sooyoung actually started her idol career in a short-lived J-pop group before eventually debuting in Korea. It’s funny, then, that it took this long for her to release a solo single in Japan. Better late than never, as Unstoppable recaptures some of the magic from SNSD’s discography while showcasing Sooyoung’s own charisma.
A song like this makes me wish she had developed a more robust solo career in music. Her focus has understandably been on acting, but she’s got everything it takes to command a solo stage. Unstoppable isn’t groundbreaking or particularly unique, but it plays to her strengths by giving her addictive production heavy on percussion. The track harnesses a punchy energy, repeatedly hitting us with sonic stabs and dynamic rhythms. In this way, it reminds me of Nayeon’s excellent ABCD earlier in the year. Unstoppable lacks hooks as strong as that track, but its exciting groove compensates. Sooyoung’s performance is polished and compelling, moving through several distinct styles without missing a beat. It’s a satisfying blend between the old and the new — exactly what someone of Sooyoung’s stature should be doing at this point in her career.
Hooks
8
Production
9
Longevity
8
Bias
8
RATING
8.25