WINNER - ‘Remember’ Album Review

Since their debut in 2014, WINNER have been one of the most consistent outfits in K-Pop. Always managing to put their own spin on current trends and switch their style up when required, the foursome - Seungyoon, Seunghoon, Jinwoo and Mino - have more than earned their stars as artists capable of filling a place in the limelight that can often be fleeting in such a fiercely competitive industry.

The group’s music, although often in line with current trends, has always stayed authentic too. With consistent contributions from the members in lyric writing and production, the four-piece enabled themselves to tell their own stories through their tracks, ensuring that they could leave behind a discography that people couldn’t question in either quality or sincerity.

And now, with member Jinwoo enlisted in the military as of April 2nd and the rest to follow in their own time, their new album, the aptly titled Remember, is set to be their last full-group release until around 2025. Fortunately, aided by a rich sonic diversity and more of the same consistent musicality that truthfully reflects the members and their emotions, WINNER make certain that they leave with a poignant piece of art that will both wrap-up their current chapter and have fans clambering for the next, no matter how long it takes to write.

Opening with the titular “Remember,” an acoustically-led ballad with a lyrical guitar melody, sentimental vocals and lyrics penned about a breakup, WINNER instantly tap into a more affecting style of music for their opener. Sharp and plaintive, it’s a perfect showing of the group’s slower, more sonically refined side that ditches complex, pulsating instrumentation for a simple, yet still layered, melodious approach. Accompanied by a striking music video in which the members look back on memories, this is an uncompromisingly emotional start to the group’s temporary farewell, and one that fits the versatile quartet like a glove.

Jinwoo’s solo, “Dduk,” follows with more of the same musical tone. A piano-driven ballad, it emphasises the raw vocal talent of the 28-year-old alongside a consistent, powerful melody. Centred around the ambiguous word dduk, it reflects a couple who has to face separation, cleverly using the word’s double meaning to make for a lyrically intriguing, vocally enchanting offering. It’s a strongpoint of the album, and serves as an effort that, whilst being a tonal opposite to his summery, groove-filled “Call Anytime” heard last year, further proves Jinwoo’s solo potential.

“Hold” allows for some breathing room on the record thanks to its carefree, colourful sound and lyrical charm. Utilising a vibrant synth drop to bolster a vocally simple chorus section, WINNER mould a song that is simple but irrefutably effective. Ultimately a mid-tempo hip-hop-cum-pop track, it’s a repetitive, inoffensively fun song that effectively switches gears on the release and leads perfectly into “Just dance,” the succeeding cut. Using a rhythmic, groovy bass-line throughout, the aforementioned “Just dance” is a freeform, sonically tight dance track that is both buoyant and flamboyantly brilliant. Although there’s no huge climax the synths, subtle horn sounds and rhythm guitar allow for a complete, musically fulfilling offering that takes the album’s quality up a noticeable notch.

“My bad,” a groove-laden, guitar-infused, acoustic R&B sounding track adds further diversity to Remember, holding back on arresting production to allow the certain parts of the song - namely the vocal versatility of Seungyoon throughout and loud, poignant opening chorus from Mino - to translate through to the listener unobstructed. Flowing like a finely crafted musical river, it’s a soothing number that is as catchy as it is meaningful. No matter the number of experiments on a record, WINNER always find a way to cement each style as their own and show just how seamlessly they can shift between genres.

Tone-heavy “Teaser,” which leans heavy on the trap side of hip-hop, blends the vocal poignance and emotive nature of Seungyoon and Jinwoo with the adaptable, multifaceted rap sensibilities of Mino and Seunghoon. Gentle and introspective, it’s yet another diverse offering that cements the foursome as a group right at the apex of the industry. It’s a real shame that we have to say goodbye to the group, even if only for a period of time, as it feels here, just as they have for the last twelve months, like they are artists right at the top of their game.

Continuing, “Well,” an ode to fans which begins with the message of “Eat well, sleep well, rest well.” contains the group’s wishes for the fans, packing their love for Inner Circles - the name of the fanbase - in a fast-paced, cheerful track that has a tangibly pleasurable melody. Pop heavy in composition, it’s a song that contrasts deeply with the more reflective goodbyes said on the album, but one that feels just as necessary.

And, keeping in line with necessary inclusions, Seunghoon’s solo track “Serenade,” which was first heard in some capacity back in 2014 and has been an impermanent fixture at both concerts and awards shows since, gets its long awaited studio version. With an explosive chorus that comes after a twinkling melody and a mixture of trap and bass beats, it’s hard not to find yourself lost in the endless array of sonically arresting elements. A concoction of different genres that emphasise the talent of the member as he energetically raps and sings throughout, it’s the perfect end to the new, unheard efforts in the album, giving a musical climax that is high-octane and quintessentially Lee Seunghoon.

However, for those who do want a little more, the final four tracks, “Empty,” “Don’t Flirt,” “Color Ring” and “Different,” all taken from debut effort 2014 S/S, have been given a 2020 update, re-recorded with the four members that have remained in the group since Taehyun’s departure in 2016. And, although to some Nam Taehyun’s vocals can never be replaced on those tracks, it’s a nice enough updating of some of the songs that helped get the group to where they are. The production and vocals, although practically the same, do seem to have had some sort of revamp in terms of clarity and tone, so if you’re hunting for sleeker versions of some of the quartet’s classics, then look no further.

Disregarding the final four offerings though, looking purely at the eight new tracks that take the listener through highs and lows of emotional vehemence, and there’s one simple conclusion to make: WINNER will be sorely missed. Even if they’re only bidding a temporary farewell, the group’s ability to blend genres and musical elements together with such ease is near enough unrivalled nowadays. Add that to the fact that their continued self-contributions within releases allows for fans to see the development of each member through linear pieces of art and you have a near-perfect recipe for a group who thrive on packing their music with meaning. At its best authentic, formidable and superlative, Remember is a tour-de-force of a record that showcases different styles and shines a spotlight on different talents, all without comprising what makes WINNER, WINNER. And that, pardon the pun, is a real victory.

Album Rating: 9.5/10