SF9’s main vocalist Inseong can do it all; he’s an all-rounder idol, musical star, and actor. The idol has started the new year with a challenge: making his solo debut with the EP Crossfade, highlighting his sole talent.
Ahead of the release, Inseong shared concept photos and teasers that evoked very nostalgic, vintage vibes, heightening anticipation for what was to come.
The title track, “Mute Is Off,” is the perfect start to the year, bringing a sense of hope and excitement with its upbeat tempo.
From the very start, it has a youthful feel, with a strong guitar and drum beat throughout. The rockier instrumental still has the feel of a ballad and shows off Inseong’s soulful voice. Yet, it never stays still. As the song reaches the chorus, the melody becomes more powerful and emotional, and uses the singer’s vocal range and power to push through on the bigger notes before softening for the verse again. His voice has an exceptional quality, taking fans on a story with his tone.
If the song exuded a feeling of youth, the video hit home about the realities of being an adult and helped to push forward the narrative.
The two versions of Inseong in the video have two different stories: one suffering from the stress and burnout of adult life, while the other is enjoying time outside and having fun; a battle between dream and reality. Inseong perfectly tells the story of the two circumstances, showcasing his acting experience. It is also the small parallels that bring both sides together, such as the different representations of pencils, pages of text, the flower, and the sofa in both scenarios.
In particular, the 2000s vibes are emphasized with the small details of the cinematography, including the colours, effects, and lighting. The cutesy graphics also push the idea of two very different lives, with doodles on the more carefree side of the screen. Yet when both come together at the end, the aesthetics complete the story.
While many fans might expect some ballads on the album, given Inseong’s voice, the songs seem to keep fans on their toes, never knowing what to expect. In particular, all the songs seem to tease fans with a ballad genre, before changing up.
“Feast of the Night” follows this tradition, but, from the introduction, with a layer of voices leading into the verse, it creates the feeling of being in a jazz club. This is supported by Inseong, who uses a more breathy voice at times to create a different feeling, then balances it with a bolder, more emotional tone towards the chorus. The composition gives the track multiple layers, making it feel complex and beautiful, even at the end, with Inseong’s last note leading into a fade-out instrumental.
“Strained Memory” switches things up in a similar way, starting like a classic ballad, but the strong drumbeat, which builds to a chorus climax, cements it as a pure pop song. This track also highlights Inseong’s vocal range and technique, particularly as he uses his falsetto to add a lighter feel to the song.
“Trying to Love” feels very nostalgic and also makes use of a strong drum beat in the opening bars, and while the tempo is consistent, the transition into the chorus feels effortless, with Inseong’s voice changing to create chapters in a story.
The album ends on “Still You, Now Me,” and it’s once again a ballad with a twist. The opening bars see a guitar melody with Inseong’s soft vocals. It is the power ballad that fans love hearing Inseong sing, and it shows off light and shade within the idol’s voice. Like the other songs, there are several layers to the song, and as the guitar gets heavier for the chorus, it still maintains the essence of a ballad but with more rock influences. As the song ends, it feels like the final chapter of the album, leaving fans with a sense of desire and emotion.
Inseong’s Crossfade: feels like the perfect showcase of the idol’s voice for a release that feels like it can be categorised as a rock ballad album.
Inseong is on Instagram. You can listen to “Crossfade:” here.