SHINee’s Key Becomes Restless with “One of Those Nights”
SHINee’s Key made his official solo debut with “One of Those Nights,” featuring Crush, released on November 26. Following his previous tropical house track, “Forever Yours” featuring Soyou, the new solo artist channels a new genre, suitable for the frigid and restless winter nights.
An R&B-House fusion topped with acoustic guitar, “One of Those Nights” conveys enduring sleepless nights spent reminiscing the now-distant past with a past beloved. Unable to rest peacefully one night, Key travels to the past and relives his most cherished memories with his significant other. However, despite how vivid and comforting his happiest visions may appear, he’s quickly reminded about his desolate present, with lively house parties transforming to empty living spaces and warm coffee dates quickly transitioning into chilling cafes. Even in his happiest moments, his loved one remains detached, making the memory more painful and returning him back to his harsh reality.
Visual symbols also elevate the song experience, accurately portraying the intense emotions of nostalgia. Key and his beloved become close and personal by sharing an intimate moment on the subway. As their own time and space are contained inside the subway car while still traveling several miles per hour, this conveys losing the sense of reality when trying to freeze time by seizing back precious moments. Water motifs reveal the different levels of emotion as time progresses, and streams of tears evolve in ocean waves crashing with overwhelming sorrow. Additionally, the water visuals may also symbolize a new beginning as Key is seen reflecting near the oceanfront as the ending scene, struggling to confront this new phase.
Along with the melancholic “One of These Nights,” the idol showcases his ever-expanding music versatility with 11 new tracks on his debut album, Face. Genres ranging from rock punk to complextro nu disco, Key’s long-awaited solo debut exemplifies the artist’s prismatic music color that developed over the past decade through solo stages and collaborations. While this multifaceted “Master Key” finally unlocked his potential as a solo artist, this is just a starting point for the almighty visionary to unleash more of his creative talent to whatever his mind sets.