INFINITE - 'REALITY'

Track List:

1. Betting
2. Bad
3. Moonlight
4. Walk To Remember
5. Between Me & You
6. Love Letter
7. Up to You

It's been more than a year since 'Season 2,' and INFINITE fans have been anticipating something new from the full band for a while. They've hardly been idle, in everything from dramas to subunits to a stint in Japan, but it's been a bit since they've been back in Korea as a full group. But now they've dropped their newest EP, 'Reality.'

The album opens with "Betting," a dance track that includes some acoustic and symphonic elements.



Turns out the intro track really is an intro as the title track, "Bad," contains the same symphonic influence. I particularly like the vocal embellishments in the beginning, especially the bridge, and the raps are simply awesome. Not to mention "betting on you" is a perfect hook to really make this track work. The song itself has to do with a woman that has the boys obsessed to the point of ruin.

"Moonlight" reminds me a lot of a disco. From the jangling guitars to the dancing synth, it's very 70's-inspired. The boys kill it here, giving us the smooth yet powerful croons during the chorus. The lyrics are pretty and evocative. It could almost be a ballad, except it's not -- a sweet, danceable tune.



The next tune, "Walk To Remember," is a nice little piece of mid tempo soft rock. It's an interesting song, mainly because it's sweetly sung until the raps hit, staccato and pitter-patter, bringing a more fierce tone to it. I enjoy the contrast, and it gives a bit of originality to the song. It's a reflective tune, that talks of walking on their own path, despite lapses in confidence and other interruptions in the journey.

"Between Me and You" is a power-ballad, as the emotionally sung verses build to the powerful chorus. The boys really hit the high notes here, and I love the electric guitar that they use during the chorus. INFINITE's trademark raps kick this track up a notch, and it ends as sweetly as it began. For a breakup song, it's a pretty good one.



The ending of the last song helps set up "Love Letter," an earnestly sung ballad. It gives the impression of emotions laid bare, and following in the footsteps of the previous tune, it too is about splitting up. It's pretty, smooth, and humorously self aware: "There are so many love songs like this/But why do I keep singing them?"  

"Up to You" is a jumpy, funky tune, and the final one on the EP. It's a body-moving, frantic song, and it combines smooth falsetto croons with fierce belts and sick raps. The sentiment is yet another song about a broken relationship, but this time they seem a bit more frustrated:

"You clearly seemed like you were mine yesterday
But why are you so cold today?
No way, I know this but I fall for it anyway
I can't stop, please take care of the ending"



All in all, this is trademark INFINITE. By turns sweet, fierce, and smooth, they've crafted yet another hit album. It's nice to hear songs that are as good as, say, "Last Romeo," without being too similar. Also, for once, the title track is an excellent one. For those of you have been following the band through its Japanese promotions, their solo and subunit activities, this is the EP you've been anticipating. I think it was well worth the wait.

MV REVIEW

INFINITE's been known for interesting videos, and this video is no exception. Packed with a variety of interesting effects, the MV has no shortage of eye candy.

From running through a parking garage, a girl with colored lights shining on her, to singing in cracked mirrors, there's all sorts of things to look at. Blacklit rooms and a reflection in the mirror different from the one sitting in the room are about par for the course. Antelope and dancing and all kinds of crazy colors.



The dancing is actually pretty on point. They don't linger on it too long, but they really give you a sense they know what they're doing and have practiced it for hours until it's become second nature.

The imagery does give off impressions of frustration. In all the vignettes the boys' gestures and expression skillfully convey the idea of a struggle.  The girl appears sporadically -- which might be why they're frustrated. :)



The impression the MV gives off is fairly relevant to the point of the song. But it's almost too packed, and the eye doesn't quite settle on any one thing for more than 5 or 6 seconds at a shot. Woollim's done just enough to make it work. I could ask for maybe better editing to linger on shots longer; however, the MV manages to hold the eye well enough. 

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