Wheein Makes a Dreamy Debut Under THE L1VE
Ever since her departure from RBW Entertainment last June, fans have been anxiously awaiting what the future would hold for Wheein as an official solo artist. Her second mini-album WHEE marks her first release under new label THE L1VE and the results are nothing short of stellar.
Wheein’s debut mini-album Redd, released last spring, and its title track “water color” were both as vibrant as could be, but WHEE and new title track “Make Me Happy” truly show Wheein’s color as a solo artist. Leaning into her penchant for R&B, the album is a laidback release filled with slow jams that see Wheein bloom into an artist with a signature style.
“Make Me Happy” is a more relaxed title song than we’ve seen from Wheein in the past, pulling from lofi music to create an atmospheric sound. The track opens with a quiet piano before the beat starts to softly kick in with Wheein’s vocals. On the surface, it’s a muted, simple song that’s enjoyable from start to finish and succeeds without having to build to something more powerful (though the beautifully unexpected chord progressions in the pre-chorus are anything but simple). The real magic lies in the peaceful world Wheein constructs within the song, where she perfectly balances her soulful voice with the song’s easy groove, creating what’s sure to be one of the most comforting listens of 2022. Though the lyrics sing of the beginnings of a mystical romance, it’s only too easy to feel that “Make Me Happy” also represents Wheein finding peace in this new chapter of her career.
The rest of WHEE has a similar dreamy vibe to “Make Me Happy” while still managing to explore different genres. “Pink Cloud” is an introspective track that takes a more acoustic approach, as does “Letter Filled With Light” though it leans more into feel-good K-Drama OST territory. “Deserve (Interlude)” brings back the lofi influence and lasts only a mere 32 seconds—unfortunate as Wheein’s whimsical voice drifting over the beat is entrancing. “Pastel” is as upbeat as the album gets, adding a much-needed cheekiness to WHEE. With an almost tropical beat and a teasing lilt to her voice, the song is just the right amount of titillating compared to the rest of the album. “Paraglide” brings WHEE back to the soft-pop realm, ending the album on the dreamiest note possible.
Check out the equally enchanting music video for “Make Me Happy” and get ready to find your inner peace with Wheein.