SHINee Key made his comeback on Monday, Aug. 11, with his third solo album, HUNTER, in three years, with a new concept. While the former Gasoline album focuses on his emotions and songs about oneself, music, love and societal expectations are a bigger part of this album.
The overall composition of this song begins with a fast tempo, reminiscent of a strong desire for love, and concludes with a slow beat that evokes a sense of love soaring upward.
The title track, “HUNTER,” aptly likens the relationship between a couple to a hunter and prey relationship. The line “Come on with that hungry gesture” metaphorically refers to a lover’s desire as a predator’s longing. It also contrasts with the previous part when Key whispers the lyrics in the latter half, which naturally flows with the highlights.
Listeners can enjoy unique choreography and storytelling through the music video of “HUNTER.” The dynamic dance and the extended arms in the highlight part relate to zombies. In addition, the search box in the middle of the video shows a limited area that is reminiscent of a zombie apocalypse. With these two combinations, Key conveys the intention of the song under the theme of zombies, encroached in love.
“HUNTER” was listed in the Top 20 during the third week of August on the Circle Chart and ranked 14th on Bugs from the release date to Sunday, Aug. 17. Key then performed “HUNTER” on music programs of MBC, SBS, Mnet and KBS2 networks after the album’s release.
“Trap,” one of the 10 songs, features a long 18-second prelude and “And again” repeated for 28 seconds in the middle. Playing through a long prelude induces the rhythm of the song. In line with the title of “Trap,” the long-lasting word “again” expresses the inability to escape from conflict and confusion in the mind.
“Strange,” in the album’s third order, is unique because all the lyrics are in English, unlike the other 10 songs. When singing “Ain’t it kinda strange” and “All these people, fake,” Key gives a pause and emphasizes “strange” and “fake” in a deep voice. With these structures, Key shows his doubt about people meeting society’s standards rather than expressing themselves.
American singer Livingston’s song “Architect” is similar in its bold voice, which empowers the lyrics.
The last song, “Lavender Love,” is a bright and energetic song that talks about the benefits of love. It expresses happy emotions through the notes of the drums and bouncy lyrics before the part of “La La Fly.”
“I Know, Same Heart-Scented” also shows that the two have a shared heart to understand each other. Lauv’s “Steal The Show,” an OST from the American film Elemental, is similar in showing a caring heart between the two characters.
Key captured his personality well in the 10th song, but the order of the two songs is regrettable. Had he changed the original sixth order, “Infection,” to the ninth order, “Perfect Error,” he could have continued the messages of the second half.
For example, the emergence of “Perfect Error” after “No Way!” allowed more emphasis on positive alternatives to people’s excessive gaze. Also, if “Infatuation” came out after “Picture Frame,” it would show two influences of intense but short love.
