Buried Treasure: Onew (SHINee) – Maestro

A K-pop act’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve.

There were a number of b-sides this week that were stronger than their accompanying title tracks, and Onew’s Maestro (마에스트로) definitely fits the bill. The song sees him tackling a laidback funk beat before bursting into a layered chorus that borrows equally from R&B and indie rock.

Maestro is all about this chorus. Onew’s vocals sound heavenly, crafting a stately centerpiece that captured my attention immediately. Parts of the melody/lyrics sound distractingly like “I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream” but the overall tone is airy enough to counteract any nursery rhyme silliness. Touches of electronic vocals remind me of the old Speak & Spell toy as the hook segues into its verses, giving the song retro appeal. I don’t know if Maestro is bombastic enough to be a title track, but it’s an intriguing and well-executed direction for Onew’s music.

Grade: B