Kai: The First Mini Album — A Review

The first thought I have after listening to Kai: The First Mini Album is a simple one.

It’s sexy.

Yes we knew it was going to be sexy, but the level of sexiness is something like the way certain moments in your romantic history stick with you long after they are over. That is to say, the Kolo, sticks with you long after it’s over.

When Kai’s solo was first announced, apart from his solid and longtime fanbase, there was a lot of skepticism because of his reputation as mainly a strong dancer. I, however, had little doubt about his vocal ability because of his vocal performance on EXO’s last album Obsession, SuperM’s SuperOne, and also because SM Entertainment’s world class vocal training that has led to many of its idols being able to pull greatness out of seemingly little to no initial vocal ability.

Kai has effectively shown with this album there was never a reason to doubt that he is the full package idol: singer, dancer, visual.

Starting with the album’s title track, Mmmh, is the soundscape of most modern R&B — a trap beat with a groovy melody. It’s simple yet effective, which is further aided by the honey smooth quality of Kai’s light vocal tone. The lightness of Kai’s vocals is perhaps what makes this album so powerful and addictive. It asks you to pause, slow down, and truly take it in.

Since the album is a mini album, each song feels purposeful in building on that refreshing vibe, from the Weeknd-esque Nothing on Me to the 80s retro vibes of Ride or Die. There is also of course a dance track, Reason, which I highly recommend you watch the visual component for this song, as it caused much devastation among the fans. The album ends with the gorgeous Hello Stranger, which is a haunting guitar and piano piece over a mid-tempo snare drum beat.

The album’s centerpiece however is Amnesia, a hypnotic synth heavy love song that feels like Frank Ocean’s Thinkin Bout You and also Beyonce’s Mine. It is also reportedly Kai’s favorite track, which makes sense considering Kai’s musical tastes includes both of those artists and another modern R&B powerhouse, HER.

The album is short, it clocks in at 17 minutes and 55 seconds, and if you have a short lunch break where you’re craving a reason to slow down and truly taste the music you are listening to, I highly recommend spending that time with Kai’s self-titled first mini album.