Song Review: SF9 – Without Wings

Along with The Bias List, SF9 are celebrating their tenth anniversary. This is a big deal, as not all acts reach this milestone. And honoring its significance, the guys have released a full album of new material. In 2026, this is also a big deal! Throughout their career, SF9 have never settled on a distinct sound. This has made it difficult for me to latch on as a fan. They have songs I adore, songs that are just okay and songs I dislike. I can’t even say there’s a specific approach I prefer from the group since their highlights have run the musical gamut. I guess they’re at their best with a great chorus, regardless of genre. Without Wings attempts an Afrobeats sound — a K-pop trend that’s a few years too late at this point. Afrobeats remains a popular sound globally, but K-pop has already pillaged it to an extent where the songs no longer feel notable or surprising. And as far as choruses go, Without Wings is not one of SF9’s best. It certainly doesn’t feel like a special anniversary track. It’s more like a forgettable curio that’s been sitting around gathering dust, retrieved for this moment out of necessity. The R&B-style vocals are nice, but the melodies do nothing for me....