Super Junior are what I like to call icons. They debuted in 2005 under SM entertainment and made hits after hits during the second generation of K-Pop (the second generation was from 2004-2013). When you enter into the world it's impossible not the know tracks like Sorry, Sorry or Mr. Simple as they really define K-Pop from that era and still remain to be listenable and bop-able to this day. Many bands who enter the world of K-pop I think dream of having the longevity that Super Junior have had. With 15 years under their belt, they've explored many styles, songs, sounds, and concepts that have proven to be successful for them. The Renaissance is their 10th full length album and it really showcases and looks back on their 15 year career and really proves that they still got it.
The Renaissance is full of different sounds and songs that range from soft ballads to hardcore drops. And Super Junior really know how to tackle them all. There's songs like More Days with You and Tell Me Baby that really showcase their softer side and present us with some heavenly vocals. There's songs like The Melody that has this fun summer-y beat that perfect for a windows down drive. Then there's drops like ones in Paradox, Mystery, and the title track, House Party.
House Party is a perfect title track that really sums up what this album is about and gives a good feel with what you're in for. It's the first full song after the intense opener, SUPER, and it is a song full of surprises. The songs start off as this sing-a-long/dance-a-long bop with trumpets and catchy lyrics that really pumps the serotonin. This song is made to be chanted to at shows (which can hopefully happen soon). But about halfway through, you're thrown into a loop as this fun, jazzy song turns into this hip-hop heavy breakdown. It doesn't feel like a clunky transition though, in fact it flows to smoothly that it feels right but at the same time you get blown away by what's happening. The guys really showcase this darker side that then flows back into this lighter side that was brought up in the beginning. Much like the album, this track really surprises you at first listen but it's so catchy and surprising you find yourself listening to it again and again.
There's other songs on this album as well that really throw you into a loop. Burn The Floor that is this more chill track with a low-key hip-hop beat that turns into this intense EDM track at the end. Once again though, it doesn't feel clunky but instead like a natural progression that the song was meant to take. The guys also really do a good job on showcasing their harmonies and vocals. Another song, Paradox is a song that I hadn't really heard from them before. There's a lot of vocal distortion and crazy beats happening but it's a complete bop. It feels very much like a modern version of Sorry, Sorry with these crazy auto-tuned vocals and funky beats.
The endless amount of favorite tracks doesn't stop there though. The Melody feels very much like a love letter to their career and fans that has this good vibe. The chorus is catchy and the bass is funky. It's a sweet song that just feels ready for summer. Mystery is a sexy track with this low-key drop that gets you grooving. It's not a powerful track but it certainly makes you want to bop your head around. The opener, SUPER, and closer, Tell Me Baby also feel like great bookends to this record. Even though SUPER is only clocking in at a minute in a half they pack a lot in with this intense instrumental and chant-y, hip-hop vocals. Tell Me Baby is a low-key track that has quite a fun instrumental (it's got trumpets!) that closes out the record perfectly.
Super Junior really took me by surprise with The Renaissance. For the past couple years, I wouldn't say they struggled with making great songs but they definitely were experimenting with where they wanted to go as a group. And this album is them showing what they have found works best for them. This album certainly took me by surprise with how cohesive yet wild it is. It's an album that is meant to be played over and over again. It's incredible to see that even after such a long time they still have it in them to produce incredible tracks.
Check out the music video for the title track House Party below and check out The Renaissance on your preferred streaming service!
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