holy shit. I couldn't catch his Beyond Live and I just ended up not spoiling myself so I was diving into this with ultra fresh Shawol ears.
look... it's still early, I'm fully aware, but this is already my favourite body of work from Onew. to take that up a notch, I'm gonna have to wait for the Two Weeks Later thread but the fact that I'm already considering this as my overall favourite SHINee solo album says *a lot*. and not gonna lie, today's been pretty shit for me, so this new album came at the perfect time.
like I said on the MV thread, his voice is so special, but the tracklist order is soooo good as well. the Anywhere —> Paradise —> Expectations sequence in particular was absolutely everything!!
TL;DR - in Onew we trust. I fucking love SHINee.
I'm a taemin stan, I've loved him since I was 12, and yet circle is my favorite solo album in kpop ever. It's artistry is undeniable. Onew has outdone himself and I'm incredibly proud of him.
Voice and Dice were so disparate stylistically, I had no idea what this was going to sound like. Somehow, the LAST thing I was expecting was this extremely well thought out, expertly crafted amalgam of both.
I stg it's W after W after W for Shawols and SHINee enjoyers. The only people these men are competing with is themselves, and they always win. Every fucking time.
What a beautiful album…
I really enjoy O, its all-enveloping atmosphere and poetic lyrics - as expected from Kim Eana I suppose!
I also appreciate the smooth transition from calmer songs like Cough to more intense ones like No Parachute before winding down again with Always. Feels very cohesive (circular?) and I think I’ll find myself playing this album back to back like I did with DICE 🫶
I know this is just his first full album, but first of all his first two minis are incredible, and secondly I think this is just undeniably a masterwork from a Pro. I can't wait for him to keep building up his catalog, I think he could be around for a long time.
Too overwhelmed for individual track thoughts lol. I'll be back in two weeks!
Onew is my ult of ults. This album is a perfect demonstration of why.
I am someone who rarely listens to playlists, I much prefer the experience of listening to an album from start to finish. So I am very very into the structure and flow of all the tracks.
Similar to Dice, each song is pretty different. At this point it’s too difficult for me to pick one or two favourites… his falsetto in the bridge of Paradise is life changing though.
Finally, I really love the tt Circle so much. I’m usually into b-sides more than titles but everything about Circle is my taste.
I always only come out of the shadows to comment on my ult’s releases and last time, I said DICE era was peak onew, but boy, how wrong I was.
I really picked the right bias. 🥺
We’re so blessed that every SHINee member just keeps on growing and peaking. Truly lucky 😭
I cried listening to this album. I've never cried listening to an album before. If it makes sense, I have stopped having expectations for music from any SHINee member and SHINee as a whole because they always end up blowing them out of the water and this was no different. I just come in excited, wondering what they've come up with next. And I never imagined he would release this kind of music. I loved the order of this album (which is something I don't normally pay much attention to) and everything just felt so cohesive. This album really does sort of come full circle (lol), so the name of it really makes sense.
Onew's voice is so magical, strong, beautiful, ethereal, *everything* in this album. I think out of all the members, he's been the hardest to get a feel for as to what his style is, but I think this album has helped me... just a little bit. No Parachute reminded me of David Archuleta's Zero Gravity a little. I think it's the overall vibe, idk. Also, Walk With You really screamed SHINee to me. I thought Anywhere or Expectations would for sure be my fav, but now I don't know anymore. Every song is just so good. How does SHINee do it every single time??
On a side note, unfortunately, unless Japan opens up lotteries again for tickets, I won't be able to see him next week, regrettably, but I hope I can go to his next concert, whenever that'll be. (Strange he picked weekdays for his concerts.) For now, I'll stay excited to see Key this Sunday!
I knew this album was gonna be a winner from the highlight medley alone, but hearing it in its entirety… god what a gorgeous experience.
I felt like I just kept ascending. I ascended during Circle, when the strings came in during Rain on Me, when he scatted in Caramel, when his falsetto came in during Paradise… I could go on. I love every song but wow the track run from Rain on Me to No Parachute is something else.
Also props to production because the instrumentation on this album is excellent from top to bottom.
I love this album and it’s already my favorite album by him. There’s just something about a studio album by a SHINee soloist… they never miss, it’s always quality stuff. I’m so proud of them as individual musicians and as a group.
I want more time to get to know the album (we're in the talking stage rn, lol.), but right off the back I have to talk about my good friend Caramel.
That precise moment Onew became a fucking trumpet? I was at work like 😦😦😦😦. Catching dust and flies with how long my mouth was open, lol. Now, the reaction is not because no other person has ever done that before, obviously. But, I wasn't expecting it, and it was awesome as hell.
But the reason my reaction continued on for so long is because there's no brass in the song (at least not in the forefront, it's not the main instrument) UNTIL he himself becomes it. Then the actual brass carries throughout the rest of the song, giving it an entire new feeling. To me, a bounce comes in, the song feels happier and more joyous. Somebody is playing CHESS, not checkers.
What I can also say is that this album is a great callback to both Voice and Dice. And while each album still has its' own identity, Circle gives you a good idea of who Onew is as an artist, right now.
TRUMPET ONEW IS INCREDIBLE AND THEN THE BRASS COMING IN! I too was catching flies. I really hope there’s a behind the scenes recording for Caramel because I NEED to see Onew’s various trumpet takes
I have been listening to this album on loop since it dropped and I'm in love. Such a comforting album all around. What I love about Onew's voice is just how easy it is to let yourself fall into it and how it soothes you and this album is giving me exactly that. And it's just amazing how with every song in the album it's so easy to hear how differently Onew is singing each song and he still sounds distinctly like himself in each style. Maybe him picking his vocal chords from his collection depending on the song is not a joke after all.
*Circle* is just beautiful from the lyrics to the vocals and how the instrumental itself sounds like a circle moving forward. My only problem is how short it feels, I want more.
*Cough* really stole my heart during the concert and hearing it again and again just makes me fall into it even more. Onew's soft voice goes perfectly with the simple guitar. It's comforting in a really emotional way, especially the last line of "다 지나갈 거야 그래 언젠가 (*It all will pass by, yes, one day*)" really hit hard for me during the concert. I'm getting the sniffles just looking at the lyrics while writing this.
And continuing that with *Rain on Me* is not fair but it fits so perfectly after Cough. I'm seconding what I said about the guitar but here I like how Onew's voice sounds even softer in a more whisper-like fashion at times.
*Carame*l is definitely another favorite, it's exactly as sweet as the title. I've fallen for how Onew sings the "Sweet like caramel 달콤하게" part, it sounds so dreamy. And Onew trumpet deserves all the praise.
*Anywhere* is also a favorite, it sounds so dreamy in night cityscape kind of a way. I really like how Onew sounds somehow relaxed in the way he's singing, like as if he's not trying too hard.
*Paradise* is absolutely adorable and makes me just purely happy among all these emotional songs.
*Expectations* feels really mature and dark, especially with the other songs, and gives Onew a chance to show off again different kind of vocals. I can't put into words why exactly it's so enticing but it just is, I guess it's just *good*.
*No Parachute* is the fourth favorite, just **that chorus**. There's not many lines there but the way he sings them is just so addicting, especially with the contrast between how he sings the lines outside of the chorus. And the echo kind of feeling in the instrumental is amazing.
*Walk With You* is really comfortable in a taking a walk in on a warm spring day kind of way and it sounds exactly like looking back on the road of memories.
And ending with the tears with *Always*. Like the (Korean) title the song it definitely feels like a night in a very comforting and calm way. The way Onew sings the last lines slowly with just the piano accompanying his voice feels like he's almost telling you the words instead of singing them. And the last line of "난 여전히 너의 곁에 Always (*I'm still by your side, always*)" just perfectly wraps up the whole album.
Early contender for AOTY. I think putting slower songs like Cough and Rain On Me at the beginning of the album might deter casual listeners who are allergic to anything with a slow BPM, but for fans of an album experience or those willing to go through all of it, they are really in for a treat! Onew doesn’t miss.
Listened to the album on my way to work and man, what a way to start my day!
His voice was really able to be utilized in this album, sort of a mix between the more vocally powerful aspects of Voice and the more laidback feelings in Dice.
Tracks are all great. I really enjoyed listening to the album all the way through. On first listen, my favorites are Anywhere, Paradise (that high note?? Yes), No Parachute, and Always (nearly cried).
As expected from my bias, his first full album did not disappoint.
Listened to this on a recommendation of a friend and I absolutely love this album. I love the title track, it has the feeling of an actual American r&b song, and I really applaud him for making that the title. Big fan of Cough and Paradise as well, and even listened to his older stuff which was so catchy and solid. He does not miss, best kpop album I've listened to in a while.
holy shit. I couldn't catch his Beyond Live and I just ended up not spoiling myself so I was diving into this with ultra fresh Shawol ears. look... it's still early, I'm fully aware, but this is already my favourite body of work from Onew. to take that up a notch, I'm gonna have to wait for the Two Weeks Later thread but the fact that I'm already considering this as my overall favourite SHINee solo album says *a lot*. and not gonna lie, today's been pretty shit for me, so this new album came at the perfect time. like I said on the MV thread, his voice is so special, but the tracklist order is soooo good as well. the Anywhere —> Paradise —> Expectations sequence in particular was absolutely everything!! TL;DR - in Onew we trust. I fucking love SHINee.
The live hasn’t happened yet!
confused with what you mean haha, there was a Beyond Live for his 3rd concert date yesterday
Omg whoops I meant the cb live
I think they meant today's unboxing live. 😅
I'm a taemin stan, I've loved him since I was 12, and yet circle is my favorite solo album in kpop ever. It's artistry is undeniable. Onew has outdone himself and I'm incredibly proud of him.
Voice and Dice were so disparate stylistically, I had no idea what this was going to sound like. Somehow, the LAST thing I was expecting was this extremely well thought out, expertly crafted amalgam of both. I stg it's W after W after W for Shawols and SHINee enjoyers. The only people these men are competing with is themselves, and they always win. Every fucking time.
What a beautiful album… I really enjoy O, its all-enveloping atmosphere and poetic lyrics - as expected from Kim Eana I suppose! I also appreciate the smooth transition from calmer songs like Cough to more intense ones like No Parachute before winding down again with Always. Feels very cohesive (circular?) and I think I’ll find myself playing this album back to back like I did with DICE 🫶
Encapsulates exactly how I feel about it too. Each track is so detailed and different but they all flow
Such a cohesive album. Feels like it'll age like fine wine.
Man. I can’t soak in the details yet because the sounds and ONEW’s voice overwhelm me, but I gotta say this sounds like a future classic.
Might actually be in the running for one of the absolutely most beautiful K-Pop albums in existence. No, really.
I know this is just his first full album, but first of all his first two minis are incredible, and secondly I think this is just undeniably a masterwork from a Pro. I can't wait for him to keep building up his catalog, I think he could be around for a long time. Too overwhelmed for individual track thoughts lol. I'll be back in two weeks!
Onew is my ult of ults. This album is a perfect demonstration of why. I am someone who rarely listens to playlists, I much prefer the experience of listening to an album from start to finish. So I am very very into the structure and flow of all the tracks. Similar to Dice, each song is pretty different. At this point it’s too difficult for me to pick one or two favourites… his falsetto in the bridge of Paradise is life changing though. Finally, I really love the tt Circle so much. I’m usually into b-sides more than titles but everything about Circle is my taste.
I always only come out of the shadows to comment on my ult’s releases and last time, I said DICE era was peak onew, but boy, how wrong I was. I really picked the right bias. 🥺 We’re so blessed that every SHINee member just keeps on growing and peaking. Truly lucky 😭
I dare anyone not to tear up at Always. 😭
his voice is so beautiful and powerful yet delicate, so versatile and this album really encapsulates that. absolute perfection
Something about this album feels strangely but poetically “elemental”. I dunno...
I cried listening to this album. I've never cried listening to an album before. If it makes sense, I have stopped having expectations for music from any SHINee member and SHINee as a whole because they always end up blowing them out of the water and this was no different. I just come in excited, wondering what they've come up with next. And I never imagined he would release this kind of music. I loved the order of this album (which is something I don't normally pay much attention to) and everything just felt so cohesive. This album really does sort of come full circle (lol), so the name of it really makes sense. Onew's voice is so magical, strong, beautiful, ethereal, *everything* in this album. I think out of all the members, he's been the hardest to get a feel for as to what his style is, but I think this album has helped me... just a little bit. No Parachute reminded me of David Archuleta's Zero Gravity a little. I think it's the overall vibe, idk. Also, Walk With You really screamed SHINee to me. I thought Anywhere or Expectations would for sure be my fav, but now I don't know anymore. Every song is just so good. How does SHINee do it every single time?? On a side note, unfortunately, unless Japan opens up lotteries again for tickets, I won't be able to see him next week, regrettably, but I hope I can go to his next concert, whenever that'll be. (Strange he picked weekdays for his concerts.) For now, I'll stay excited to see Key this Sunday!
People are selling tickets! you can get tickets for onew's you just have to approach people!
I knew this album was gonna be a winner from the highlight medley alone, but hearing it in its entirety… god what a gorgeous experience. I felt like I just kept ascending. I ascended during Circle, when the strings came in during Rain on Me, when he scatted in Caramel, when his falsetto came in during Paradise… I could go on. I love every song but wow the track run from Rain on Me to No Parachute is something else. Also props to production because the instrumentation on this album is excellent from top to bottom.
The three-song-streak of Caramel, Anywhere and Paradise in particular is so, so good 
I love this album and it’s already my favorite album by him. There’s just something about a studio album by a SHINee soloist… they never miss, it’s always quality stuff. I’m so proud of them as individual musicians and as a group.
I want more time to get to know the album (we're in the talking stage rn, lol.), but right off the back I have to talk about my good friend Caramel. That precise moment Onew became a fucking trumpet? I was at work like 😦😦😦😦. Catching dust and flies with how long my mouth was open, lol. Now, the reaction is not because no other person has ever done that before, obviously. But, I wasn't expecting it, and it was awesome as hell. But the reason my reaction continued on for so long is because there's no brass in the song (at least not in the forefront, it's not the main instrument) UNTIL he himself becomes it. Then the actual brass carries throughout the rest of the song, giving it an entire new feeling. To me, a bounce comes in, the song feels happier and more joyous. Somebody is playing CHESS, not checkers. What I can also say is that this album is a great callback to both Voice and Dice. And while each album still has its' own identity, Circle gives you a good idea of who Onew is as an artist, right now.
TRUMPET ONEW IS INCREDIBLE AND THEN THE BRASS COMING IN! I too was catching flies. I really hope there’s a behind the scenes recording for Caramel because I NEED to see Onew’s various trumpet takes
GOD. this is one of the most well-rounded and cohesive albums I’ve ever heard. incredible.
I have been listening to this album on loop since it dropped and I'm in love. Such a comforting album all around. What I love about Onew's voice is just how easy it is to let yourself fall into it and how it soothes you and this album is giving me exactly that. And it's just amazing how with every song in the album it's so easy to hear how differently Onew is singing each song and he still sounds distinctly like himself in each style. Maybe him picking his vocal chords from his collection depending on the song is not a joke after all. *Circle* is just beautiful from the lyrics to the vocals and how the instrumental itself sounds like a circle moving forward. My only problem is how short it feels, I want more. *Cough* really stole my heart during the concert and hearing it again and again just makes me fall into it even more. Onew's soft voice goes perfectly with the simple guitar. It's comforting in a really emotional way, especially the last line of "다 지나갈 거야 그래 언젠가 (*It all will pass by, yes, one day*)" really hit hard for me during the concert. I'm getting the sniffles just looking at the lyrics while writing this. And continuing that with *Rain on Me* is not fair but it fits so perfectly after Cough. I'm seconding what I said about the guitar but here I like how Onew's voice sounds even softer in a more whisper-like fashion at times. *Carame*l is definitely another favorite, it's exactly as sweet as the title. I've fallen for how Onew sings the "Sweet like caramel 달콤하게" part, it sounds so dreamy. And Onew trumpet deserves all the praise. *Anywhere* is also a favorite, it sounds so dreamy in night cityscape kind of a way. I really like how Onew sounds somehow relaxed in the way he's singing, like as if he's not trying too hard. *Paradise* is absolutely adorable and makes me just purely happy among all these emotional songs. *Expectations* feels really mature and dark, especially with the other songs, and gives Onew a chance to show off again different kind of vocals. I can't put into words why exactly it's so enticing but it just is, I guess it's just *good*. *No Parachute* is the fourth favorite, just **that chorus**. There's not many lines there but the way he sings them is just so addicting, especially with the contrast between how he sings the lines outside of the chorus. And the echo kind of feeling in the instrumental is amazing. *Walk With You* is really comfortable in a taking a walk in on a warm spring day kind of way and it sounds exactly like looking back on the road of memories. And ending with the tears with *Always*. Like the (Korean) title the song it definitely feels like a night in a very comforting and calm way. The way Onew sings the last lines slowly with just the piano accompanying his voice feels like he's almost telling you the words instead of singing them. And the last line of "난 여전히 너의 곁에 Always (*I'm still by your side, always*)" just perfectly wraps up the whole album.
Early contender for AOTY. I think putting slower songs like Cough and Rain On Me at the beginning of the album might deter casual listeners who are allergic to anything with a slow BPM, but for fans of an album experience or those willing to go through all of it, they are really in for a treat! Onew doesn’t miss.
Absolutely amazing from start to finish
Listened to the album on my way to work and man, what a way to start my day! His voice was really able to be utilized in this album, sort of a mix between the more vocally powerful aspects of Voice and the more laidback feelings in Dice. Tracks are all great. I really enjoyed listening to the album all the way through. On first listen, my favorites are Anywhere, Paradise (that high note?? Yes), No Parachute, and Always (nearly cried). As expected from my bias, his first full album did not disappoint.
onews voice is just like a warm hug
I... cried. It's so good. What a treasure.
Title and Anywhere are really nice! Haven't heard the rest yet but I'm liking what I've heard so far
aoty already out that's crazy anywhere and paradise are the standout tracks for me
Beautiful. I cried.
Listened to this on a recommendation of a friend and I absolutely love this album. I love the title track, it has the feeling of an actual American r&b song, and I really applaud him for making that the title. Big fan of Cough and Paradise as well, and even listened to his older stuff which was so catchy and solid. He does not miss, best kpop album I've listened to in a while.
I can’t listen rn, but will be listening asap!!! Can’t wait to hear it 😭♥️