Song Review: Irene (Red Velvet) – Like A Flower

Ten years after her debut with Red Velvet, Irene has finally released her first solo album. Better late than never — especially as the group enters a phase of their career when solo work tends to be more common. Like A Flower is well-suited to this musical era, drawing upon trends to craft a catchy brew.

This seems to be the week of ‘Afrobeats in K-pop,’ as Like A Flower follows TWS’s Last Festival from yesterday. It’s probably not fair to compare the two songs, but their closeness in approach and proximity makes that somewhat inevitable. For me, Like A Flower feels more concerned with its groove than the topline, and you can tell a great deal of effort went into making the rhythm pop. The percussion is robust and full, growing more hypnotic as the track goes on. It strikes a nice middle ground laidback and upbeat, giving Irene plenty to play with. The synth bass is an especially nice touch.

However, I’m not a huge fan of the song itself. The melodies are too flat and repetitive and the “I’m growing like a flower, unlocking superpowers, I’m singing in the shower” chorus is the worst kind of pop rhyme. There’s a monotony to the structure that suits the beat almost too well. I would have preferred a melody that counters the production and breaks the song out of its shell. Irene sells the package well and injects plenty of charisma, but I don’t see myself returning to this track often.

Grade: C+