SHINee reveals curiously interesting side in ‘Sherlock’

SHINee, one of today's top Hallyu stars, recently released their fourth mini album entitled "Sherlock". "Sherlock" follows the success of the idols' Japanese release "The First" which broke records in Japan. Returning to their K-Pop roots, SHINee releases a curiously interesting album, both musically and conceptually, in "Sherlock".

Groundbreaking sound

SHINee's fourth mini album contains a total of 7 tracks including an experimental "combined track" which had the honor of being the album's title "Sherlock". The complete track list is as follows:

1. Sherlock (Clue+Note)
2. Clue
3. Note
4. Alarm Clock
5. The Reason
6. Stranger
7. Honesty

Musically, the album is incredible. SHINee boasts of having two of the strongest and most recognizable voices in young K-Pop--Onew and Jonghyun. The strength of these two vocals is already good enough to produce a worthwhile album. However, in "Sherlock", the vocal work is balanced among the five members highlighting their unique vocal strengths. Jonghyun's high octave voice is featured very well in the title track "Sherlock (Clue+Note)". Onew's characteristic vocal style shines in the breezy campfire track "Honesty" while equally contributing to the explosive chorus of the title tracks. Key, considered the third lead and rapper, also shined in carrying out the necessary harmonies for most of the songs. The youngest member Taemin noticeably grew in vocal confidence after his stint in "Immortal Song 2". His smooth voice has a nice rasp which results in a swoon-worthy vocal perfect for the low to mid tempo tracks. As for the handsome Minho, his rapping style remains the same which has more or less worked for SHINee releases.

SHINee's combined vocals along with the interesting electronic synths reminiscent of 1920s sound results in a unique album experience unlike other K-Pop albums out now. What is so incredible about "Sherlock" is that it offers a groundbreaking sound and style that still fits the SHINee discography. All 7 songs are excellent but my favorite tracks are "Sherlock", "Alarm Clock" and "Honesty". Clearly electronica, the production for "Sherlock" is superb. Even a non-SHINee fan will probably turn their head when the MV is played or when the title track is played.

Curious concept

Ever since their debut, SHINee has pushed the envelope in the concept and fashion departments. In "Sherlock", the idols return to their signature colorful pastel "SHINee" look but somehow the style was executed in a curious way. Obviously, I chose to say "curious" since this word was the main catchword in their title track "Sherlock" but in all honesty, the album concept left me extremely curious.

Although, I appreciated the aesthetics of the group photos with the hippie-inspired fashion, globs of paint, and cute doodles (obviously continued from past SHINee concepts in "Romeo" and "The First", I can't say the same for the solo photobooks. The solo photos of all five members left me feeling...ahm... uncomfortable. I really do not understand why Taemin, Minho, Jonghyun, Key and Onew were made to look like young boys seducing the camera. Personally, I don't think there is a need for the SHINee members to pose for these types of shots as they are talented enough not to rely on physicality. I bet the members themselves may have felt uncomfortable taking these shots. I am really so curious as to why SM Entertainment chose to package them this way. Are they supposed to show a more "grown-up" look? If that were the intention, it didn't work.

Overall, I would still recommend SHINee's "Sherlock" simply because the music is awesome and the album is enjoyable as a whole. The songs are all solid and the tracks have a unified feel. Similar to their past mini albums including "Replay", "Romeo" and "2009, Y.O.U.", "Sherlock" is full of musical gems a K-Pop fan shouldn't miss.

"Sherlock" will be released in the Philippines officially on July 7, 2012. For more information, visit the Universal Records Facebook page.

SHINee "Sherlock"

Catherine Deen blogs for Yahoo! Philippines OMG! She lives, eats and breathes Korean music, cuisine, telenovelas and pop culture. Follow her on Twitter @cathsdeen.