[Album Review] Wish You Hell (2nd Mini Album) – WENDY (Red Velvet)

1 month ago 17

Wish You Hell is the next album to be reviewed on the blog. It is WENDY’s 2nd mini-album since her solo debut with Like Water in 2021. Released in March this year, it features a total of 6 songs, including the title track that shares the same name as the mini-album.

While I don’t think this thought came across my mind when I checked out the mini-album back when it was first released in March, I believe that WENDY was trying to end all of us with this mini-album. I think consolidating my thoughts into words has brought this thought to the surface. Wish You Hell (the mini-album) highlights what WENDY is capable of. While the first half of the mini-album wasn’t as strong as the second half, it still has a lot to offer. And the second half, well, it was all 10/10 to me. Keep reading for my thoughts on each song below to find out why this mini-album is among the highest-ranked this year.

1. Wish You Hell (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for Wish You Hell. (7.5/10)

2. His Car Isn’t Yours – His Car Isn’t Yours is an R&B pop track with a really atmospheric instrumental. The bass comes at all the right moments to emphasise this side of the song. WENDY sounds stunning throughout the track, dreamy yet conflicted, as she sings about how the person she is with isn’t the person she is interested in. The track is also fully in English, which is long overdue. I wouldn’t mind listening to more English songs from WENDY in the future. (8/10)

3. Best Ever – Best Ever switches up the mini-album completely with a more cheerful and upbeat indie pop sound. The way she started this track set the contrast (with the previous song) in stone and made me go wow. I really liked the jazzy elements that make their way into the instrumental. It just gives Best Ever a whole new breath of life. WENDY just brings a smoothness and airy feeling that makes this track attractive. But it is the combination of WENDY and backing vocals that delivers the song’s “La da da da” hook, which is the best part of the song. Her breathy ad-libs were also amazing. (9/10)

4. Better Judgement – Better Judgement slows down the mini-album slightly with another R&B track. But it still packs a punch. The standout element in Better Judgement is WENDY’s vocals, which are captivating in this track. Her vocals alone have sold me on the song. Better Judgement’s instrumental is one of the simpler backings on the mini-album, composed of a pounding beat, acoustic guitar and some twinkling synths. The complexity this song offers comes purely from WENDY’s vocals. If there is any song on this mini-album that shows off WENDY’s vocals the best, it would be this one. (10/10)

5. Queen of the Party – Queen of the Party returns us to upbeat territory with a robust and dynamic number. And this one nails everything with ease. I loved the way the Queen of the Party builds in the pre-chorus. I loved how WENDY effortlessly delivers the choruses, particularly the “I’m alone, but the queen of the party” line. The bridge was stunning, and I also enjoyed her soaring vocals in that part of the song. Another 10/10 from me. (10/10)

6. Vermilion – Closing out the mini-album, WENDY returns to R&B territory with Vermillion. I like how dramatic and epic the instrumental is and how well WENDY complements this energy. The former is right my alley, and the latter is just another example of how well she can put her vocals on full display. Another easy 10/10 from me. (10/10)