Almost four years after the release of 2019’s From Midnight To Sunrise, the K-R’n’B singer Crush is back with his emotionally packed full-length album, wonderego. Celebrating his tenth year in the industry, he made a successful return in 2022 with the Hip-hop single, Rush Hour featuring BTS’s J-Hope. The release went on to become a smash hit marking the perfect re-introduction to fans after his military discharge. 

Grabbing your attention straight away is the minimalistic front cover of wonderego surrounded by the hues of blues; the colour that symbolises stability and wisdom. The artist recently stated “Shortcomings are what made me who I am for a long time. wonderego is a journey that begins with it. Shortcomings and completeness, boredom and excitement – On this journey, I take one more step on the road of my mixed, indescribable emotions that pierce through complex feelings. Ultimately, ‘I’ have various sides of myself, so ‘I’ continue my life for another day.” 

Having him navigate those emotions has led him to play with various genres that make the aformentioned release to be cool, funky, and full of soul. wonderego contains a massive tracklist of 19 songs; it’s a refreshing change to see an artist release a full-length album instead of a mini-album. As a major face at the forefront of the K-R’n’B/Hip-hop scene, he’s gone on to work with many artists, and wonderego continues to showcase that with big names such as Dynamic Duo, Lee Hi, Penomeco, AMAKA, and Kim Ximya featuring on numerous tracks. 

The first song, New Day, opens the album with a retro sound thanks to the use of bass.  Although short, at just one minute and 10 seconds, New Day allows Crush to tell his story, including his passionate rapping about his comeback: “I’m still at the stage when I wake up to a new day / Staying up all night it’s been a decade since you slept and rested / Set the studio on fire every damn new day / I’m back, wonderlust still makin’ new shit.”

After a strong beginning, the party starts with the title track 흠칫 (Hmm-cheat); the minute it begins, we’re taken back to the 00s. It was Justin Timberlake in particular who took over this era because of his falsetto vocals and contemporary R’n’B beats, something that seems to have heavily influenced Crush. From the beginning of 흠칫 (Hmm-cheat), he sings out to the ladies similar to that of 2012’s Senorita “All my ladies, where you at? / Let’s make it a bit louder / Restless hands and feet / Let me have a moment for myself.” It feels like an updated version and the perfect way to kickstart the album that has you excited to hear more. 

Continuing next with the sensual EZPZ, the song itself reminds me of the late 90s when music was unserious and just enjoyed for its catchy rhythms. With flirtatious lyrics: “Girl, you’ve been running through my mind / All the time that’s a sign get inside / Girl, I can make it easy, peasy, easy, peasy, easy, peasy / I think about you all the time”, who wouldn’t be able to fall in love with this irresistibly charming pop number?

We go from sultry to whiplash with Nothing Else featuring Kim Ximya, an experimental track. Although one minute long, it packs a punch with Kim Ximya’s rap verses backed by electronic beats. It’s an unexpected number to have on the album, but it works with the transition into GOT ME GOT YOU. It’s at this point where the EDM ramps up and becomes a full-blown dance track. I am sure it would be a DJ’s dream to play this song in a packed-out nightclub. Both are good if a little jarring, however, it makes this album a fun listen as you’re not sure what genre you’re going to get next. 

With the first half rounded off with what felt like a giant dance party celebrating the noughties, the second half breaks away from that and begins to reflect on his journey with the track Ego. For me, the highlight of the track is the melody. It’s simple and it is a style Crush knows how to execute. His vocals are soft and seductive, singing out: “Girl, you killed my ego / How can you be so beautiful? / I don’t want to fall / Regretful, hating you.”

Weaving from Ego, Crush flows into Ego Interlude, a gentle instrumental that plays out like an exploration of his feelings. By using piano and acoustic guitar, it acts as a gateway into the next set of songs that have a similar vibe. Building on these sounds and adding chime instruments, it creates echoes that replicate crashing waves. Interestingly, this could be a connection to the album cover, as we see him shrouded by tones of blue on an empty seabed. 

The next track A Man Like Me will have you thinking there was a surprise N*Sync and Backstreet Boys collaboration on the album. It’s a cheeky love song of him promising his love interest the world if she was to be with him: “You can have all you want from your fantasies / In a man like me / A man like me / One who’ll give you his all / It’s all right to fall for / A man like me / A man like me.” Because of these lyrics, you can easily envision how the music video could play out similar to Michael Jackson’s The Way You Make Me Feel. 

Another exploration of thought is through track Monday Blues which taps into a message I’m sure we can all relate to. Monday is seen as a fresh start to the week and to be productive, but the reality is, we just want to make it through the day. Crush repeats the chorus several times, almost like he’s coaching us and himself to get through it. The lyrics may seem simple, but it’s effective, “Monday blues, all day loose / What I do, I just do / Monday blues, always too / What I do, I just do”. Although associated with a negative topic, the song doesn’t feel depressing; it’s more of a reassurance that it’s okay to just keep moving on.

Following on from feeling blue are the tracks She and You, both are enjoyable, but follow a similar beat, and whilst not as memorable as the others, they act more as calming background music to be enjoyed whilst doing things around the house. 

However, Harness breaks away from the slow-paced pining of the previous songs and has the most beautiful string arrangement. For me, it’s the true standout of the album, it stops you in your tracks and commands your attention. With a saxophone solo appearing in the second chorus, it propels into a jazz number. It adds another layer to the song and becomes a soothing number you would hear in a sophisticated lounge bar enjoyed with a wine or two. 

Rounding off the album perfectly is the upbeat and funky Remember Me. It draws you in from the start and having navigated dealing with sadness and pain, it closes on a bright note. It feels as if we’ve been climbing a mountain together, and Crush has reached the summit peak after 19 tracks. 

Having written, composed, and arranged the majority of the album, it feels as though he has put his heart and soul into this project. Musically, it’s cohesive and sticks to the 00s/R’n’B genre, making for a solid release that made me nostalgic for my teenage years. Vocally, it’s refreshing and filled with soul and catchy choruses, but importantly, it contains mood-boosting songs that leave no other option but to get up and dance. 

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Written by Kirsty Bright

Featured image courtesy of P Nation

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