Bite Review: Evan’s “Death of Me” Isn’t Good Enough

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Debut songs don’t have to be perfect to be successful. Rookies don’t have to be polished or even particularly special. There just needs to be something that makes people tune in and stay tuned in for subsequent releases.

At least, that’s usually the case.

Evan’s solo debut is a different beast. That’s what happens when you are one of the most prominent members of one of the most popular fourth generation boy groups and you abruptly leave said group under a cloud of mystique, then immediately launch a solo career with your same longtime label but under a new stage name (goodbye Heeseung, hello Evan). It’s a stranger than fiction whirlwind that guarantees attention for Evan’s solo debut, but also huge expectations.

To put it rudely, Evan’s solo material needs to be good enough to justify throwing his — and arguably, all of the members of Enhypen ENHYPEN ENHYPEN is a six member boy group formed through I-LAND, known for powerful performances, storytelling concepts, and global popularity. ’s — career into chaos at the height of their success. It needs to define and showcase his individual artistry and songwriting, which he seemingly left Enhypen ENHYPEN ENHYPEN is a six member boy group formed through I-LAND, known for powerful performances, storytelling concepts, and global popularity. to set free. And fair or not, this debut needs to be exceptional. Unfortunately, “Death of Me” is just OK.

The biggest failure of “Death of Me” is that it is generic. The MV isn’t terrible, but it feels like a mishmash of a dozen previous releases: a dash of Jungkook’s “Standing Next to You’ here, a splash of Ateez ATEEZ ATEEZ is an eight-member K-pop boy group known for powerful performances, intense choreography, and a strong global fanbase. Since debuting in 2018, they have built a reputation for cinematic concepts and commanding stage presence. ’s “Guerilla” there, and some horror elements that would fit right into any Enhypen ENHYPEN ENHYPEN is a six member boy group formed through I-LAND, known for powerful performances, storytelling concepts, and global popularity. MV. These are quality inspirations, but they aren’t remixed in an original way, and they also don’t really complement each other in the first place. The only things that string the images in “Death of Me” together are the fact that they feel familiar, and that they all strive for a certain superstar aura, with Evan the superstar in question.

That approach also feels like a misstep. Every idol’s persona is a tangled mix of acting, marketing, selectivity, and perhaps a dash of authenticity…which is to say we do not know these people. But based on the plethora of material featuring Evan from his days in Enhypen ENHYPEN ENHYPEN is a six member boy group formed through I-LAND, known for powerful performances, storytelling concepts, and global popularity. , “untouchable star” doesn’t seem like a good fit. He stood out the most, especially in variety programs, when he came across as sweet, hard-working, and even a bit awkward: a gifted everyman. That’s nowhere to be found in “Death of Me,” and the cool, cold, polished to chrome shoes the song tries to force on Evan fit poorly.

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Some of these visual missteps could be forgiven if the song itself was more successful, but alas that’s not the case. “Death of Me” is by no means a bad track. Its darkly sparkling synths and melancholic momentum call to mind The Weeknd and, again, Enhypen ENHYPEN ENHYPEN is a six member boy group formed through I-LAND, known for powerful performances, storytelling concepts, and global popularity. . These are artists who make good music, so standing side by side with them is not bad…unless, of course, you are trying to chart your own path.

It’s in this vein that “Death of Me” falls flat, time and again. Musically, visually, and conceptually it gives no indication of anything distinctive about Evan as a soloist compared to his prior group work, or anyone else out there in the big wide world of music.

“Death of Me” helms a full EP with the same name, much of which suffers from the same lack of personality. There are a few signs of life, for example the introspective album closer “Going Home.” But taken as a whole, and certainly from “Death of Me” alone, this is simply not going to cut it. Evan’s talent and dedication aren’t in doubt. “Death of Me” is catchy enough that it might perform ok commercially. However, it’s going to take more than that to turn his story from just another odd tale of Hallyu into the artistic renaissance his solo debut is being pitched as. He needs to find an identity…and he needs to do it fast.

(YouTube. Images via Belift Lab.)