[Album] TVXQ 20&2 — The 9th Album Review

Reaching an impressive 20-year anniversary, it’s remarkable that the group’s main strength remains their abundant energy. Typically, with increasing years in the industry, the focus shifts from raw vitality to mature technique.

However, TVXQ, the “living legends” featuring the dynamic duo Yunho and Changmin, who easily outshine many of their younger counterparts, robustly infuse this vigorous energy into their music.

The real potency lies not in the magnitude of strength, but in its application. Power that’s relentlessly pushed without finesse can inadvertently create a backlash, weakening the project’s core. Take “Rebel”, for example.

The track becomes chaotic and unstable with its haphazardly combined diverse lines, each with their unique progression. This approach disrupts the flow and intrigue, leading to a narrative void and persistent doubts about the composition throughout its duration.

The same goes for “Take my breath away”, where the approach to climax feels half-hearted, and “Promise”, where the main melody becomes obscured due to rough production, diminishing the album’s natural convincing power.

Sometimes, musical innovation might mean a slight neglect in production intricacies, but sadly, this album doesn’t break new ground. It directly opposes their career’s balancing act between uniqueness and mass appeal.

The funky dances of “Life’s a dance”, “Fix it”, and the simplistic piano ballad “Starlight” seem to echo old K-pop tropes.

Even the album’s standout track, “Rodeo”, fails to bring a refreshing blend of image and sound. Departing from their earlier distinct and complex style, the album now seems to tread into banal themes and repetitive patterns.

Despite being veterans, their delivery seems unrefined compared to their long-standing experience. Even their once formidable weapon now shows signs of wear, suggesting a need for greater subtlety to maintain a significant and lengthy career.

It’s like watching a seasoned slugger hit an infield fly, losing the precision once celebrated.

Here’s to hoping their next endeavor will demonstrate a return to form, bringing back the strength and sophistication expected from such seasoned artists.