[Review] Atmos – SHINee

It has been over a year since SHINee’s last release as a group, Poet | Artist, which featured the late JONGHYUN and celebrated their 17th anniversary. Since then, the members have been busy focusing on solo careers and activities. Earlier this week, the quartet regrouped to release Atmos, the name of both their 6th mini-album and latest title track.

No matter how many times I have listened to Atmos, I have found myself getting lost in the track. It doesn’t mess around, doesn’t let up and gets right to sounding like a SHINee track. Atmos sees SHINee revisit the house sound they have explored before. However, it is refreshing thanks to its tighter, fuller arrangement and glitchier, more percussive synth work. The bass also gives it so much depth and tone. From the instrumental alone, Atmos has so much energy and momentum that it shows great promise. SHINee’s vocals bring the familiarity and nostalgia to the song. I really liked how the instrumental moulds around the vocals to create such a captivating track. The twists and turns in the pre-choruses keep Atmos interesting, while the stripped-back approach at the start of the first and second choruses was a memorable moment in the song.

The music video depicts the members, despite being in different locations, as all connected in some way. It relates well to the lyrics, which describe experiencing a “perfect love” through each of the five senses, comparing the sensation to floating in the air. Essentially, the video relates the members to the five senses, which are all interconnected. I really liked how the various images and shots were crafted together to match the fast-paced tempo of the song and glitchiness of the synths. The animation sequence and the fireworks at the end were also super cool, with the latter ending the music video in spectacular fashion.

While the group has yet to promote the track on music shows, they have already performed at their latest concert. Even after 18 years, SHINee still manages to dazzle on stage. I enjoyed the fast-paced nature of the routine and the fact that they don’t hold back. I really liked the slight movements and lean that kick off the first and second choruses, as well. Along with that moment in the song, it has become a very memorable moment of the choreography for me.

Song – 9.5/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 9.3/10