Quick Thoughts: Taemin – ETERNAL

It feels like it’s been years since I’ve lived a Taemin album all the way through. Not just like 2 or 3 songs here and there. ETERNAL has totally fixed that drought. My first listen through the album was during my morning commute to work.

I remember thinking to myself as I was liking songs to save on Spotify, “Wait. Are we back?” Not that I ever stop being a Taemin stan. A Taemate (obsessed with our new fandom name, btw), but there are definitely different eras of me being very involved and not so much. And yeah, we’re back.

It’s been a bit of a wild ride being a Shawol the last couple of months. Seeing the mini exodus of SHINee members leaving SM and where they were going next wasn’t stressful for me. Because they’re veterans in the industry and anyone would be grateful to have them. And let’s not act like Taemin or Onew are nobodies despite the time they’ve been active. I had complete trust that they would find success and more control of what direction they want their careers to go in.

I wasn’t surprised at all, Key and Minho decided to stay on with SM either. I’m sure they have their complaints with their corporate overlords, like we all do at work. But I guess SM Entertainment is giving them more of what they want. And if they’re good, I’m great.

But I was totally celebrating with other Shawols when the initial rumors and quick confirmation that it was true, Taemin and Onew were out of there. And I 1000% agree it’s important to support both albums (streaming, buying physical album(s), sharing posts online to help with visuality, etc) is incredibly important because this is both of their first albums post leaving a large agency. They aren’t completely starting over, but they are taking a bit of a hit and risk not having that SM cushion anymore.

I will definitely be picking up a physical copy of ETERNAL. Motion version because melanin, lol. The other versions are fine. I love the styling, but they got him so pasty 😪. Anyway, let’s get into the music!

So we have “G.O.A.T” as the album opener, fooking iconic move right there. We also love the subtle parallel to Key also releasing a song called “G.O.A.T (Greatest Of All Time)”:

SHINee will always SHINee and the “plagiarizing” meme lives on. I like “G.O.A.T”, but it’s not a song I’m gonna revisit much. It’s fine. It’s got a bit of the weird copy vibe you get on some of Taemin’s newer music, like since Advice. I’m also not that crazy about “The Unknown Sea”. But that’s more because it’s a slower paced song, and those are hit or miss for me with Taemin.

“Sexy In The Air” is so funny. Because he’s very clearly saying sex is in that air, but we gotta pass those Korean censors for TV, I guess. Another genius move from Mr. Taemin. My favorite part of “Sexy In The Air” is the second half when that Drill beat comes in, and we almost get an entirely different song. I love when songs do that kind of interlude thing. Like on Justin Timberlake’s “Lovestoned/I Think She Knows“. My favorite example of songs like that.

Anyway, when that second half kicks in, I start MOVING. I like the set-up for it, though. I wouldn’t say I hate the beginning, but I don’t know what I’d change to make the whole song sound more like that second half without it just being like an interlude. So I’m good with it.

Styling in the video is good. My top three looks are of course that black velvet turtleneck, silver skirt thing and ripped wide leg pants, his dance break red cropped top and black trouser fit with large silver buckets on both items, and the all denim look in the last shot we see of him.

“Horizon” giving me those 80s synth vibes. Let’s goooo. Now, this is a sound I didn’t know I needed or wanted from Taemin. I’m really feelin it.

“Crush” also giving me more dancy vibes that I expect on a Taemin album. Something to groove too. Taemin getting into the “Deja Vu” battle was also quite unexpected but appreciated. My favorite song off the album. ATEEZ is still taking it for me as the best “Deja Vu”.

My order goes: ATEEZ, NU’EST W, TXT, SONAMOO (what y’all know about this one??), and Taemin.

“Say Less” is probably my second favorite song off ETERNAL. Both “Say Less” and “Deja Vu” just sound like “old” Taemin to me. These could have been on like MOVE or WANT.

I think what I love most about ETERNAL is the overall energy it brings to Taemin’s discography. We just celebrated 10 years since ACE released. His first solo album. And he’s grown so much as a musician in a group and solo.

And ETERNAL truly feels like a short and sweet mashup of what we all love about Taemin’s sound. There’s something here for everyone. And he managed to pack that into seven songs, 21 minutes. Idk guys, it’s kinda like he’s perfected his craft and knows what he’s doing or something 🤷🏾‍♀️.

So yeah, those are my immediately thoughts on ETERNAL. I’m so excited about what Taemin’s career is going to look like in the near future. I’ve been living for him performing at Waterbomb, and I’m looking forward to what he’s got up his sleeve for this upcoming tour for ETERNAL.

I’m just so happy. I love seeing him out here doing what he loves under his terms. And I love seeing the fandom having fun and taking it all in. Oh yeah, I also wanted to mention to follow him on his new official account if you weren’t already. Twitter, Insta, his “personal” Insta is the same.

What are y’alls thoughts on ETERNAL and “Sexy In The Air”. Let me know in the comments. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter and Instagram. I’ll see y’all next post! Until then…

Take Care!

Ash 💫