Since signing with from20 and Hello Gloom’s Way Better agency, A.C.E’s Kang Yuchan has debuted as a solo artist and is now returning with his first mini album. This album represents an important milestone for both him and the agency, standing as one of their biggest projects yet.
Co-written by Yuchan and Hello Gloom, Close To You‘s sentimental sound fits right within Way Better’s oeuvre, though it’s a more subdued version of their usual fare. Gentle trip hop production collides with bigger stabs of percussion before the track stretches toward brighter synth textures. In my mind, Close To You would have worked better with these synth strings put right up front and center from the start, as they give it a more unique tone than many songs of its ilk.
Overall, Close To You is a pleasant bit of atmosphere but struggles to elicit many sparks. Yuchan’s vocal has a soft, restrained quality that matches the energy of the instrumental, but I wonder how this might have sounded as a duet or even an idol group track. Added vocal harmony and a variety of tones might have pulled more drama and intrigue from the production.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.5 |
