Rating: 8/10
IRENE, lead dancer and oldest member of renowned South Korean girl group Red Velvet, officially made her solo debut with the mini-album “Like a Flower.”
Despite Red Velvet reaching their 10th anniversary this past August — a rare achievement for active K-pop girl groups — a solo debut for IRENE remained uncertain in the wake of a 2020 attitude scandal. Debate on whether or not IRENE would receive a solo project was put to rest when “Like a Flower” was finally announced on Nov. 3.
IRENE released the eight-song record on Nov. 26, alongside an accompanying music video for the title track. The song exudes charisma, with IRENE providing a great vocal performance over an afrobeat-inspired instrumental, which accentuates the simple yet catchy melody of its chorus. IRENE pulls off the choreography effortlessly in the music video, making it all the more confusing why it has taken so long for her to pursue solo music endeavors.
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The mini-album continues with “Summer Rain,” a dreamy pop track with a hypnotic vocal performance from IRENE.
“Like the eye of a hurricane/ A daisy caught in the summer rain,” she croons in the chorus, evoking a sense of nostalgia for warmer weather.
Sounds of falling rain in the background polish the track, making it a soothing and chill listen.
The third song, “Calling Me Back,” is a mid-tempo R&B number that demonstrates IRENE’s vocal ability.
“Even if I try to hide it/ You’re calling me, calling me back,” she belts, making it one of the album’s strongest offerings and a true testament to her solo talent.
Immediately following might be the best song on this project, “Strawberry Silhouette.” This song has a lot of personality, and IRENE is able to pull it off perfectly. Singing of a lover being caught “in my silhouette,” she alternates between sensuality and playfulness. This is exemplified in an unexpected rap verse following the first chorus, delivered with the sly confidence only someone like IRENE can bring.
“Start Line” is a band-pop song with a soaring chorus paired with guitar and drums, giving the album more versatility. “Winter Wish” is a cute little pop offering on the album’s back half, showcasing more of IRENE’s playful side as she rejoices in the simple pleasures of the cold winter season.
The two songs that bring “Like a Flower” to a close, “Ka-Ching” and “I Feel Pretty,” were both previously revealed at special fan events hosted by IRENE in 2023 and 2024, teasing the possibilities of what her solo music would sound like. IRENE certainly saved the best for last, as both songs are some of the highlights from the album.
“Ka-Ching” is an incredibly fun dance-pop song. Its chorus is an earworm that will find its way into your head after a single listen. IRENE sings of not needing fancy jewelry or beautiful dresses to find confidence in herself, simultaneously empowering herself and the listener.
Meanwhile, “I Feel Pretty” is a sophisticated and restrained track with soft beats and smooth vocals. It employs gorgeous strings within the post-chorus, making the song sound straight out of a “Bridgerton” ballroom sequence.
Although criminally short, the 24-minute mini-album demonstrates IRENE’s capability as a solo artist outside Red Velvet. All eight songs strongly prove her talent, which will hopefully lead to more musical opportunities for her in the future.
