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Gasoline (Key album)

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Gasoline
Digital and VHS version cover
Studio album by
Key
ReleasedAugust 30, 2022 (2022-08-30)
GenreK-pop
Length36:56
Language
  • Korean
  • English
Label
Key chronology
Bad Love
(2021) 		Gasoline
(2022) 		Good & Great
(2023)
Singles from Gasoline
  1. "Gasoline"
    Released: August 30, 2022
Killer cover
Digital cover
Singles from Killer
  1. "Killer"
    Released: February 13, 2023

Gasoline is the second studio album by South Korean singer Key. It was released on August 30, 2022, through SM Entertainment. It consists of eleven tracks, including lead single "Gasoline". The album was commercially successful, debuting at number one on South Korea's Circle Album Chart, and received positive reviews from music critics. A reissue, titled Killer, was released on February 13, 2023. It features three new songs, including the lead single of the same name. Gasoline and Killer form the second and third parts of the "retro trilogy" Key started with his 2021 EP Bad Love.

Background

[edit]

Gasoline was Key's first solo release in nearly a year, following his 2021 EP Bad Love. His first studio album Face was released in 2018.[1] He began developing the album while working on Bad Love, and took inspiration from various retro horror films, such as Friday the 13th, Gremlins and Mars Attacks!.[2][3] Born in 1991, he grew up before the introduction of computer-animated films, and was influenced by the hand-drawn designs associated with the films of his childhood.[3][4] Key stated that he wanted to show a different, more "powerful" side with this album, describing it as "Something that only Key can do".[3] He wrote four of the eleven songs himself, saying he wanted "to give life to the album" by including autobiographical stories.[5]

Composition

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Lead single "Gasoline" is a hip hop dance song that features chanting laid over brass and drum sounds. The lyrics, written by Key, express his determination to forge his own path like gasoline.[6] "Bound" is an uptempo pop song with a heavy bass and various club sounds. The lyrics describe his desire to overcome his limitations.[7] "Villain" features Jeno of NCT, and contains rhythmic synths and FX sounds. It is about a villain who has aspirations of becoming the hero.[8] "Burn" is a pop song that features piano riffs, a strong bass and rhythmic electric guitar sounds. Lyrically, it is described as an "emotional" song about the burning flames of a relationship.[7] "Guilty Pleasure" is a synthwave song that utilises synthesizers and bass.[9] "G.O.A.T (Greatest of All Time)" is a pop ballad about the hardships and concerns of adulthood. It includes bells, synths and soft bass sounds, with an orchestra in the second half.[10] "I Can't Sleep" is an uptempo pop song with electric guitar riffs. The lyrics describe feelings of insomnia. "Ain't Gonna Dance" is a midtempo pop song with rhythmic 808 bass and drum loops. It depicts the relationship between two people who are cautious about expressing their attraction to each other.[11] "Another Life" is an electropop dance song with synth sounds. Written in English, the lyrics describe wanting to travel to another dimension in pursuit of eternal love.[12][13] "Delight" is a retro-inspired disco pop song that features keyboards, organ, bass and drums.[9] R&B song "Proud" contains autobiographical themes and was inspired by passages from Key's mother's diary. It incorporates hip hop drum beats, 808 bass, piano and guitar sounds.[14]

"Killer" is an uptempo dance song based on 1980s new wave and synth-pop. Synthesizers and drums combine to create a dark mood, and the lyrics describe being unable to forget a partner after a break-up.[15] "Heartless" is a rock-based dance song with electric guitar and strong timpani and bass sounds. It is about the creature created by the mad scientist that appears on the jacket of Gasoline. Finally, "Easy" is a midtempo pop song that features heavy 808 bass, sub-bass and drums, with strings in the second half.[16]

Release and promotion

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On August 9, 2022, Key's agency SM Entertainment announced the album's release through the publication of a teaser poster on Shinee's social media accounts. It was confirmed to contain eleven tracks, including lead single "Gasoline", with the release date set for August 30.[1] Promotional materials, including concept images and videos, were revealed from August 16 onwards, showcasing a gothic theme.[17] Key performed the lead single for the first time at the SM Town Live 2022: SMCU Express concert at Suwon World Cup Stadium.[7] A music video for album track "Another Life" was released on August 26,[12] followed by a lyric video for "Proud" the next day".[14] Key hosted a countdown livestream on August 30 through Shinee's YouTube and TikTok channels to celebrate the album's release.[18] The set where he shot the teaser images for Gasoline was available as a photo zone for fans at SM's Seongsu-dong office until September 13.[9]

The album was reissued under the title Killer on February 13, 2023. The reissued edition added three new songs: "Heartless", "Easy" and lead single "Killer".[19] His agency stated that it would form the final part of his "retro trilogy".[15] Ahead of its release, Key collaborated with graphic designer DHL on an art exhibition themed around the Year of the Rabbit. The artwork was created using artificial intelligence and took inspiration from Killer.[20]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
IZM[21]
NME[22]

Gasoline received generally positive reviews from music critics. Writing for IZM, Yeom Dong-gyo felt that Gasoline solidified Key's identity as a solo artist. He believed that it was a strong follow-up to Face, highlighting the album's autobiographical themes.[21] NME reviewer Tanu I. Raj praised Key's songwriting abilities, stating that the songs he contributed lyrics to were particular standouts.[22] South Korean music webzine Idology selected it as one of the best albums of 2022.[23]

Track listing

[edit]
Gasoline track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Gasoline" (Korean: 가솔린; RR: Gasollin)
  • Kenzie
  • Moonshine
  • Keynon "KC" Moore
  • Ninos Hanna
  • Moonshine
  • Kenzie
3:11
2."Bound"Park Tae-won
  • Inscore
  • Imlay
3:04
3."Villain" (featuring Jeno of NCT)Lee Hyung-seok
  • Rollo
  • Frost
  • Imlay
3:07
4."Burn"Lee Seu-ran
  • Jhun
  • Fitton
3:51
5."Guilty Pleasure"Lee Hyung-seok
  • Greg Bonnick
  • Hayden Chapman
  • Adrian McKinnon
  • Deez
3:48
6."G.O.A.T (Greatest of All Time)"
  • Key
  • Kang Eun-jeong
Amber3:15
7."I Can't Sleep"Key
  • Jhun
  • Cunningham
  • Sibley
3:51
8."Ain't Gonna Dance"Lee Yeon-ji
  • Jack Morgan
  • Rug Wilson
  • Will Lansley
  • John Morgan
Punctual2:57
9."Another Life"
  • Curtis Richardson
  • Adien Lewis
  • Matt Thomson
  • Max Lynedoch Graham
  • Richardson
  • Lewis
  • James F. Reynolds
3:38
10."Delight"Jo Yoon-kyung
  • Sam Klempner
  • Scott Quinn
Klempner2:59
11."Proud"Key
  • Mike Daley
  • Tido Nguyen
  • Jeffrey Okyere-Twusami
  • Stephan Lee Benson
  • Daley
  • Tido
3:15
Total length:36:56
Killer track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Killer"Hwang Yu-bin
  • Christoph Cronauer
  • Simon Klose
  • Rita Bavanati
  • Thilo Berndt
Klosely3:50
2."Heartless"Kang Eun-jung
  • Galeyn Tenhaeff
  • Catalina Schweighauser
  • Jon Hällgren
  • Lukas Hällgren
  • Jon Hällgren
  • Lukas Hällgren
3:07
3."Gasoline" (Korean: 가솔린; RR: Gasollin)
  • Key
  • Kenzie
  • Kenzie
  • Moonshine
  • Keynon "KC" Moore
  • Ninos Hanna
  • Moonshine
  • Kenzie
3:11
4."Bound"Park Tae-won
  • Bram Inscore
  • Sarah Hudson
  • Dale Anthoni
  • Manu Ríos
  • Inscore
  • Imlay
3:04
5."Villain" (featuring Jeno of NCT)Lee Hyung-seok
  • Rollo
  • Max Frost
  • Ian Kirkpatrick
  • Rollo
  • Frost
  • Imlay
3:07
6."Easy"Park Tae-won
LDN Noise3:56
7."Burn"Lee Seu-ran
  • Ryan S. Jhun
  • Etham Basden
  • Lauren Aquilina
  • Luke Fitton
  • Jhun
  • Fitton
3:51
8."Guilty Pleasure"Lee Hyung-seok
  • Greg Bonnick
  • Hayden Chapman
  • Adrian McKinnon
  • Deez
  • LDN Noise
  • Deez
3:48
9."G.O.A.T (Greatest of All Time)"
  • Key
  • Kang Eun-jeong
  • David Amber (153/Joombas)
  • August Rigo
Amber3:15
10."I Can't Sleep"Key
  • Jhun
  • Nathan Cunningham
  • Marc Raymond Ernest Sibley
  • Wyatt Sanders
  • Nolan Sipe
  • Jhun
  • Cunningham
  • Sibley
3:51
11."Ain't Gonna Dance"Lee Yeon-ji
  • Jack Morgan
  • Rug Wilson
  • Will Lansley
  • John Morgan
Punctual2:57
12."Another Life"
  • Curtis Richardson
  • Adien Lewis
  • Matt Thomson
  • Max Lynedoch Graham
  • Richardson
  • Lewis
  • James F. Reynolds
  • Arcades
  • Richardson
  • Lewis
  • TAK
3:38
13."Delight"Jo Yoon-kyung
  • Sam Klempner
  • Scott Quinn
Klempner2:59
14."Proud"Key
  • Mike Daley
  • Tido Nguyen
  • Jeffrey Okyere-Twusami
  • Stephan Lee Benson
  • Daley
  • Tido
3:15
Total length:47:49

Personnel

[edit]
  • Key – vocals, background vocals
  • Kenzie – vocal directing (tracks 1, 5)
  • Keynon "KC" Moore – background vocals (track 1)
  • Ninos Hanna – background vocals (track 1)
  • Xydo – background vocals (track 1)
  • Lee Ji-hong – recording (tracks 1, 5), mixing (track 8)
  • No Min-ji – digital editing (tracks 1, 3–5, 8, 11), recording (tracks 3–4, 11), engineering for mix (track 8)
  • Kim Cheol-sun – mixing (track 1)
  • Kim Yeon-soo – vocal directing (tracks 2, 9)
  • Byeon Jang-mun – background vocals (tracks 2–3, 8)
  • Jeong Ho-jin – recording (track 2)
  • Woo Min-jeong – recording (tracks 2–3, 8), digital editing (track 3)
  • Kwon Yu-jin – digital editing (tracks 2, 8–10), recording (track 5)
  • Kang Eun-ji – engineering for mix (tracks 2, 8), recording (tracks 6–7, 9), digital editing (tracks 6, 8–10)
  • Nam Gung-jin – mixing (track 2)
  • Kriz – vocal directing (track 3)
  • Jeno – vocals, background vocals (track 3)
  • Max Frost – background vocals (track 3)
  • Lee Min-gyu – mixing (tracks 3, 6–7), recording (tracks 7, 10), digital editing (track 7)
  • minGtion – vocal directing (tracks 4, 7)
  • Etham Basden – background vocals (track 4)
  • An Chang-gyu – digital editing (tracks 4–6, 10)
  • Jeong Eui-seok – mixing (tracks 4, 11)
  • Ju Chan-yang – background vocals (track 5), vocal directing (track 8)
  • Adrian McKinnon – background vocals (track 5)
  • Gu Jong-pil – mixing (tracks 5, 9)
  • Jeon Seong-woo – vocal directing (tracks 6, 10)
  • Kang Tae-woo – background vocals (tracks 6, 10)
  • August Rigo – background vocals (track 6)
  • Junny – background vocals (tracks 7, 9)
  • Jack Morgan – background vocals (track 8)
  • Adien Lewis – background vocals (track 9)
  • Curtis Richardson – background vocals (track 9)
  • Jeong Yu-ra – mixing (track 10)
  • Maxx – vocal directing (track 11), digital editing (track 11)
  • Kwon Nam-woo – mastering

Charts

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References

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  1. ^ a b Gwee, Karen (August 9, 2022). "Key from Shinee announces second solo album 'Gasoline'". NME. Archived from the original on August 10, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  2. ^ Shin, Min-hee (August 31, 2022). "[Celeb] Shinee's Key combines retro and horror in new solo album 'Gasoline'". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on September 3, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Benjamin, Jeff (September 2, 2022). "Key Shares the Family Stories & 'Little Freaks' That Inspired His 'Gasoline' Album: Exclusive". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 3, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  4. ^ Park, Jun-hee (August 30, 2022). "Music worth a listen: Key on his 2nd LP 'Gasoline'". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on September 3, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  5. ^ "Shinee's Key: SM didn't stop me from writing autobiographical songs this time". The Korea Times. Yonhap News Agency. August 30, 2022. Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  6. ^ Jang, In-young (August 16, 2022). 샤이니 키, 타이틀곡 '가솔린'…자신감 담았다 [Shinee's Key, title track 'Gasoline'... showing confidence]. Newsis (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 27, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022 – via Naver.
  7. ^ a b c Ji, Min-kyung (August 21, 2022). 샤이니 키, 신곡 '가솔린' SMTOWN LIVE서 깜짝 선공개 [Shinee's Key, new song 'Gasoline' surprise pre-release at SM Town Live]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 27, 2022. Retrieved August 21, 2022 – via Naver.
  8. ^ Lee, Da-won (August 28, 2022). NCT 제노, 샤이니 키 '빌런' 지원사격 [NCT's Jeno features on Key of Shinee's 'Villain']. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved August 28, 2022 – via Naver.
  9. ^ a b c Hwang, Hye-jin (August 23, 2022). '컴백' 샤이니 키 'Gasoline'으로 입증할 '레트로 킹' ['Retro king' Shinee's Key to make comeback with 'Gasoline']. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 23, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2022 – via Naver.
  10. ^ Cho, Hye-jin (August 17, 2022). 샤이니 키, 솔직한 고민 담은 'G.O.A.T' 직접 작사 [Shinee's Key wrote the lyrics for 'G.O.A.T' with honest concerns]. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 27, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2022 – via Naver.
  11. ^ Kim, Su-jin (August 25, 2022). 샤이니 키, 정규 2집 'Gasoline' 한계 없는 음악 스펙트럼 [Key of Shinee's second studio album 'Gasoline' has an unlimited musical spectrum]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 27, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2022 – via Naver.
  12. ^ a b Chin, Carmen (August 26, 2022). "Shinee's Key drops special video for new English song 'Another Life'". NME. Archived from the original on August 27, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  13. ^ Shin, Min-hee (August 26, 2022). "Key shares music video for 'Another Life'". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on August 27, 2022. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  14. ^ a b Lee, Min-ji (August 27, 2022). 샤이니 키, 어머니 육아일기서 영감 얻은 'Proud' 작사 비화 [Shinee's Key, the story behind the lyrics of 'Proud', inspired by his mother's parenting diary]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 27, 2022. Retrieved August 27, 2022 – via Naver.
  15. ^ a b Kim, No-eul (February 7, 2023). 샤이니 키, 레이서 변신..신곡 '킬러' 시동 걸었다 [Shinee's Key transforms into a racer... New song 'Killer' is starting]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 12, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2023 – via Naver.
  16. ^ Seon, Mi-kyung (February 8, 2023). 샤이니 키, 'Killer'로 선사할 다채로운 매력..몽환+섬세 [Shinee's Key present a variety of charms with 'Killer'... Dreamy and delicate]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 12, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2023 – via Naver.
  17. ^ Yim, Seung-hye (August 10, 2022). "Shinee's Key releases schedule for upcoming album 'Gasoline'". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  18. ^ Kim, Won-hee (August 24, 2022). 샤이니 키, 컴백 카운트다운 진행 [Key of Shinee's comeback countdown]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 27, 2022. Retrieved August 27, 2022 – via Naver.
  19. ^ Cho, Yong-jun (January 25, 2023). "'Killer' by Shinee's Key to be released on Feb. 13". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  20. ^ Jung, Joo-won (February 7, 2023). 샤이니 키·AI·디자이너 합작한 '토끼' [Shinee's Key, AI and a designer collaborate on 'Rabbit']. Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 12, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2023 – via Naver.
  21. ^ a b Yeom, Dong-gyo (September 2022). "Gasoline – The 2nd Album". IZM (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 27, 2022. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  22. ^ a b Raj, Tanu I. (September 6, 2022). "Key – 'Gasoline' review: the Shinee member comes into his own as an artist on his second solo album". NME. Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  23. ^ 결산 2022 : ③올해의 앨범 20선 [2022: Top 20 Albums of the Year]. Idology (in Korean). January 1, 2023. Archived from the original on January 2, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  24. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2022-09-26/p/3" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  25. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Combined Albums: 2022-09-26" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on September 23, 2022. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  26. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums: 2022/09/07 公開". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  27. ^ "Circle Album Chart – Week 36, 2022". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 8, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  28. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  29. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2023-03-27/p/3" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  30. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Combined Albums: 2023-03-27" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  31. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums: 2023/02/27 公開". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 22, 2023. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  32. ^ "Circle Album Chart – Week 7, 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  33. ^ "Circle Album Chart – September 2022". Circle Chart. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  34. ^ "Circle Album Chart – February 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 12, 2023. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
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