endless doors
new music from my favorite singer
I will always cherish April, and a flower. That is my favorite Chen album, no matter what. I know I don’t owe it undying loyalty, but it is to me the pinnacle of his career, even if it was also his debut. The first post on love angle is a review of it (there actually were others but I deleted them…).
Door is his fourth mini album and his best after April. The thing is, the EXO soloists who make my kind of music are Baekhyun, Kai, and Suho. I’ve only warmed up to ballads because of Chen, so partial am I to pop, r&b, and fast paced energetic songs. I loved his Japanese rock album Polaris and do wish he’d continue in that same style. But whatever he chooses to do, I’m going to love it - that’s the power of a voice as rich and versatile as his.
Door has the variety I wanted for his debut: slow, lingering ballads and upbeat dance tracks. My only complaint is that the album's design is too plain and minimalist :/ It's my greatest wish that Chen would release something creative and artistic like Suho's 1 to 3. More pizazz and color! So instead I made my own album cover with one of the stills from the video for title track Empty.
From his interview with Nylon Manila:
The DOOR is a mediator that allows things to be filled, emptied, entered, or exited. This dual symbolism fits perfectly with my title track Empty as it also represents my desire to invite fans to my music. Each song contains my honest interpretation, and I’ve tried my best to convey my message in a way that feels most authentic to me.
I see myself as an endless “door” and the way my fans perceive me is also a reflection of that “door.” I am always grateful to the fans who view me with pride, and within that, I always strive to remain my true, sincere self.
Empty ironically is filled with breadth, a mature sound defined by longing. The orchestra adds splashes of color to the palette that is his voice. It’s a vast space — empty, but not lacking.
I chose Empty as the title track because its unique, melancholic melody captured my heart. It was the perfect song that I feel perfectly embodies the more mature version of myself I’ve become. I’m grateful that this album contains songs from such diverse genres. PLAYLIST, a track written by Colde was created with the sole intention of creating a fun and enjoyable song. With the additional features of BE’O and HAON, the song has become even more energetic and fun!
Dandelion is simple, a good follow up to the stirring heights of Empty. Gentle, soothing, and sad. It also boasts lyrics co-written with his best friend, Baekhyun 💛
I don’t have much to say about Playlist, just that it’s very lively. HAON and BE’O’s voices meld well with Chen’s.
My favorite is Fall In Love Again. Synth! City pop! A genre I’ve long wanted him to try which he did on Polaris with My Sunshine. It’s glittery, full of verve, really quite glamorous. My Sunshine is more retro and nostalgic sounding.
Starlight is the other standout on Door, just tremendous. My words can’t do it justice. His voice once again is the canvas. It’s never overpowered by the other instruments.
To close out the album is the acoustic guitar track Remember. I didn’t think much of it at first but it steadily climbed up in my personal ranking. It wouldn’t be out of place on a ballad/soft rock station. His voice is just so agile.
I’ve seen people call this album boring, identical to his previous ones. Chen has found a niche with pensive, moody music. But considering this is a facet of his musical identity distinct from EXO and sub-unit CBX, I don’t see a problem with him singing the ballads he’s passionate about. And he’s able to infuse them with his unique flair. His voice is too powerful and ethereal to not render these ballads with the same qualities.
If he is indeed going to try new genres, I hope he doesn’t abandon ballads. I hope he’s always making music for himself rather than just giving into the fanbase’s demands.
I would liken Chen’s music to the film Drive My Car: there’s hardly any action, it moves at such a slow, measured pace, but its meticulous attention to human relationships and emotions keeps you mesmerized. How can a three hour long film with no explosions or dramatic overtures manage that? There’s just an art to it, a rare ability granted to the very few, like Chen.