Shinee’s Minho Blends Variety and Versatility in New Album ‘Call Back’

Minho—the Shinee member, rapper, singer-songwriter, and actor—reinforces his star power and musical versatility in his latest release, Call Back. It’s his first full-length record since his debut solo mini album Chase dropped in 2022.

Call Back embodies a diverse blend of musical genres, artistic freedom, and creative synergies. The 10-track platter charts Minho’s expansion, with each song unveiling a different facet of his musical range.

The opening bars of its title track “Call Back,” especially as the ambient city sounds and throbbing piano notes interact, hook in a jiffy, teasing Minho’s expressive vocals. As the song advances, an intense baseline, a powerful guitar riff, and subtle layering of percussion elements add to the track’s dynamic, with each instrumental component serving to better the music.

In a thematic sense, “Call Back” is Minho’s wish to freely express his emotions. His voice (with a hint of rap thrown in) moves smoothly through the song’s melodic contours and moments. The chorus is simple, but I like that as much as its overarching groove and sing-along quality—it’s a cool song, to be precise.

Coming in second on the album, “Slow Down” fuses Minho’s vocals with R&B pop, trap, and synth sounds, creating a euphoric romantic feel that evokes a tangible sense of longing and a desire to slow down time. It reveals one’s wish to appreciate precious moments spent with the beloved, tapping into the universal human experience of navigating bittersweet realizations about the fleetingness of cherished connections.

Next up is “Fireworks,” a dance hip-hop single that shines against a rhythmic base—featuring Minho’s rapping with Sohee’s (Riize) singing. The song is simultaneously groovy and deeply conscious, talking of fanning the fire within amid life’s challenges.

My personal favorite is the fourth song, “Came And Left Me.” What an infectious beat it is! Starting with a calming guitar melody before launching into a rapid rhythm, this dance-pop includes some lovely layers and variations. The progression from the pre-chorus to the chorus and finally to the final verse of the song is quite appealing, influencing the song’s overall effect. Lyrically, “Came And Left Me,” as the name implies, centers on feelings following a breakup and is meant to be a poignant one in that sense. Even so, it never leaves you with a dull moment.

The following song on the list is “Something About U.” It sets a strong and sensual rhythm using a bass line and drum fills, defining the tone for the song’s narrative about emotional and physical attraction. The powerful beats, music, and lyrics enhance the mood and produce an emotionally expressive yet catchy groove. 

“Round Kick,” the sixth song, is contemporary R&B dance music with synths, brass, and an explosive electro-guitar melody.

Then comes “Affection,” a sultry carefree R&B pop number about falling passionately in love with an Afrobeat rhythm that blends well with Minho’s passionate singing.

“I Don’t Miss You,” song number eight, is soft yet infectious, pretty flowy sonically juxtaposed with a kick sound, snappy bass, and acoustic guitar tones. 

The ninth song, “Because Of You,” is a collab between Minho and Ningning (Aespa) featuring lyrical guitar, mandolin, and 808 bass sounds. Soaked in the sensibilities of a love ballad, it’s a breakup song—moody, but with a chill vibe. Minho and Ningning’s distinct vocals complement each other beautifully, drawing out the anguish engrained in the R&B pop tune.

Call Black closes with its romantic R&B single “Would You Mind.” The music boasts a strong bass, varied chord lines, synths, and RX elements, resulting in a relaxing, mystical soundscape.