[Album Review] ACT (5th Mini Album) – KANG DANIEL

1 month ago 69

A year ago, KANG DANIEL released his 5th mini-album, ACT, led by the single Electric Shock. An additional four songs are featured on the mini-album. Aside from the title track, the mini-album focuses on various EDM styles. This resulted in a very cool mini-album, featuring trendy tracks and a range of songs from KANG DANIEL as a soloist. One of the tracks also features CHUNG HA, further enticing listeners.

More recently this year, KANG DANIEL released his 6th mini-album Glow to Haze, which is led by the single Episode. I have yet to review Episode, but it will definitely get a review in the near future.

1. Losing Myself – The mini-album kicks off with an EDM track with some really cool dubstep drums and guitar riffs, with the latter giving Losing Myself a rock-leaning influence that hits super hard. I felt that KANGDANIEL himself could have provided some more powerful vocals in the track, particularly since the instrumental does drown him out slightly. Additionally, the track is too short and ends abruptly, which disappoints me. But the direction and the energy of the track are amazing. (8.5/10)

2. Get Loose – For me, Get Loose had the potential to be a cool trap dance track. But there was something that just got in the way from Get Loose in the way of reaching its full potential – the distorted vocals featured prominently throughout Get Loose. It was great at first as a textural component, but I just stayed, and I felt this got in the way of KANGDANIEL’s vocals. And with this blocking, what felt like some cool, laid-back vocals from the soloist himself, I found it really hard to get into Get Loose overall. (7/10)

3. Electric Shock (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for Electric Shock. (6/10)

4. Come Back To Me (ft. CHUNG HA) – This all-English track brings together KANG DANIEL and CHUNG HA for such a beautiful collaboration. The pair of them sound effortless together in this single, and I find that to be a super strong aspect of Come Back To Me. The soft EDM pop instrumental was another strong aspect, with that string-like instrumental piece coming through stunningly. (9/10)

5. 9 Lives – Closing out the mini-album is 9 Lives, an uplifting song about the positive mindset of overcoming challenges. This messaging gives 9 Lives impact from the onset, but more is delivered through the music. The EDM propels the song forward, while KANG DANIEL’s husky vocals just sound so captivating. The line “Like I got 9 lives” that starts and ends the choruses was actually quite catchy and punchy, particularly as the opener to the final chorus. (10/10)