Minty Gal

Wonho’s anticipated full-length album dropped on November 3rd, and I couldn’t wait to hear it. Although I wanted to purchase the physical album (I mean… Have you seen the teaser photos?), I have to put it on hold as other priorities have my wallet in a chokehold. I did, however, give the whole album a listen, and it blew me away. His first English-focused album still adheres to his signature aesthetic, nestled in that sweet spot between pop and R&B. Syndrome has that early 2000s pop flair, but feels confident and mature. Not only did he serve his fans 10 piping hot tracks, but they are also incredibly relatable; I couldn’t be more proud as a fan. Syndrome feels polished and has a sound that is perfect for his Western audience. 

I will admit that this album feels a bit more commercial, as it does have a slightly different sound from his other hits like “Eye on You” and “Crazy,”  but this is an English-focused album, and I appreciated the slight change in sound. His English has improved significantly, and his vocals remain as smooth as ever. I also like how he arranged the songs.

After listening to the whole album, it makes sense that Wonho chose “Better Than Me” as the introduction to the project. It helped listeners know what to expect from the album’s sound, and he decided to close it out with the lead single. 

My top picks are “DND” (Wonho co-wrote the lyrics), “Good Liar”, “Maniac”, and “Better Than Me”.

“If You Wanna” (Wonho also contributed to the production and writing of the lyrics) was a pleasant surprise, a song I didn’t expect from him, but one that I absolutely welcomed. 

Overall, I enjoyed the album and think it will do well.