[Album Review] The Winning (6th Mini Album) – IU

1 month ago 25

I feel like this particular album review is long overdue. Apologies if you feel the same way with IU’s The Winning. This mini-album was released in February this year as the soloist’s 6th mini-album. But the comeback was teased way back in January of this year through the pre-release single Love Wins All. This was followed up with the actual lead single of the mini-album Shopper. The side tracks Holssi and Shh.. also had music videos, so I have reviewed them separately more recently. With one additional side track on the mini-album without a music video (thus reviewed in this post), The Winning features 5 songs in total.

IU is undoubtedly a digital queen, with most (if not all) of her comebacks rising to the top of the digital charts. I think the only song that didn’t hit number 1 on the South Korean charts recently is Shopper, but I think that is because the pre-release Love Wins All overshadowed it. So, it should come as no surprise that this will likely be one of the best mini-albums of the year, at least in my books. My personal rating on the mini-album (down below) already sets it up to achieve that, if not the Best Album of 2024 (hint hint). I was impressed with all the songs on the mini-album except for one. If you have been reading the IU reviews on my blog, you probably already know which song that is. But in case you haven’t, continue reading to find out which songs I really loved and which song I didn’t.

1. Shopper (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for Shopper. (9/10)

2. Holssi (홀씨) – Click here for the review for Holssi. (6.5/10)

3. Shh… (ft. Hyein from NewJeans and Wonsun Joe & Narration by Patti Kim) – Click here for the review for Shh…. (10/10)

4. Love Wins All – Click here for the review for Love Wins All. (10/10)

5. I stan U (관객이 될게) – IU flips the script in this song. Usually, it is the fans that are stanning their favourite idol, like IU. But in I stan U, IU expresses that she is stanning us, encouraging and empowering us to do what we want. I enjoyed the pop feel that the song brings, with a slight touch of rock to the mix, just to give the song some edge. IU’s vocals are really nice. I like how she goes soft at certain parts as if whispering to us. This makes the song feel even more personable and more impactful for listeners. (10/10)