Song Review: Miyeon (i-dle) – Reno (ft. Colde)

i-dle’s Miyeon is gearing up for her second mini album next month, and like so many before her she’s dropped a pre-release first. Reno pairs her with indie singer-songwriter Colde for a slow-burn slice of musical drama that feels like a performance piece straight from a movie.

Opening with a dramatic spoken-word introduction, Reno unfurls at a languid pace that feels conversational — like a monologue put to music. In this way, it reminds me of something ripped from a stage musical, though its tone is more “dingy dive bar” than “razzle dazzle spotlight.” It’s a different sound for K-pop and captures attention immediately. As a pop song, I’m not sure it works nearly as well. The emphasis seems to be put on mood and storytelling rather than exciting melodic structure, which just isn’t the route I usually opt for as a listener.

Still, Reno stands as a compelling artistic statement on its own. Miyeon’s clearly ready to stretch herself when it comes to genre, and this blends her career as an idol and actress quite nicely. It won’t be showing up on any of my own playlists, but I imagine the song will engeander love from a dedicated fan base.

Grade: C