Advice is the third Korean extended play (sixth overall) recorded by South Korean singer Taemin. It was released on May 18, 2021, by SM Entertainment,[1] produced by Cutfather, PhD, Moonshine and Ryan S. Jhun, among others. The album contains five songs including the lead single, "Advice".
Taemin released his third studio album Never Gonna Dance Again: Act 2 in November 2020. On May 3, 2021, the singer's label SM Entertainment announced that Taemin would be releasing a new EP the same month, which will mark his final release before his military enlistment.[2] The album's title Advice and cover art were revealed simultaneously.[3] The title track would serve as the lead single of the album. "Advice" was described as an R&B song that employs piano flourishes and a choir arrangement over a trap beat.[4] "If I Could Tell You" is a collaboration with Girls' Generation member Taeyeon.[5] It was described as a "dreamy" R&B-pop song featuring electronic piano and soft synthesizer sounds.[6] "Light" is a dance-pop song produced by Moonshine, featuring groovy beats, synth sounds, and vocal harmonies. "Strings" is an R&B song that is driven by arpeggio guitar riffs, in which Taemin compares himself to a string instrument.[7] "Sad Kids" is a midtempo pop song in a minimalist arrangement of guitars.[8]
Taemin premiered the title track on his solo concert, Never Gonna Dance Again, on May 2.[6] Image concept teasers were uploaded to Shinee's social media accounts on May 10–13.[4][5][7][8] On May 18, Taemin held a live event on Naver's V Live app to introduce songs from the album.[9] Taemin promoted the title track with televised live performances on various South Korean music programs including M Countdown, Show! Music Core and Inkigayo.[10][11][12]
Writing for the South China Morning Post, Tamar Herman praised Advice for its "creativity and androgynous aesthetic". She described Taemin as charismatic and versatile.[13]
^Sun, Mi-kyung (May 3, 2021). 샤이니 태민, 5월18일 컴백 확정..군 입대 전 마지막 앨범[공식] [SHINee Taemin, comeback confirmed on May 18th.. Last album before enlisting in the military [Official]]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021 – via Naver.
^ abYoon, Sang-geun (May 10, 2021). 태민 솔로 컴백 타이틀 'Advice' 업그레이드 다크 카리스마 [Taemin's solo comeback title'Advice' upgrade dark charisma]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 10, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021 – via Naver.
^ abJi, Min-kyung (May 11, 2021). 태민, 새 앨범 수록곡 'If I could tell you' 태연 피처링 참여 [공식] [Taeyeon participates on Taemin's new album – 'If I could tell you' featuring Taeyeon [Official]]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021 – via Naver.
^ abLee, Seung-Hoon (May 12, 2021). '컴백 D-6' 샤이니 태민, 청량한 'Light'→나른섹시 'Strings'..매력적인 보컬 기대 ['Comeback D-6' SHINee Taemin, refreshing'Light' → relaxing sexy'Strings'..An attractive vocal expectation]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021 – via Naver.
^ abJeong, Hee-yeon (May 13, 2021). 태민 티저 이미지 공개…역시 콘셉트 장인 [Taemin teaser image released... After all, concept craftsman]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved May 13, 2021 – via Naver.
^Lee, Seung-Hoon (May 14, 2021). 샤이니 태민, 'Advice' 18일 발매→컴백 기념V라이브 예고.."탬강사의 랜선특강"[공식] [SHINee Taemin,'Advice' released on the 18th → Comeback commemorative V live notice.. 'Tam lecturer's LAN line special lecture' [Official]]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021 – via Naver.
^Kim, Mi-ri (May 20, 2021). '엠카' NCT 드림, 7人 완전체로1위…태민 컴백 [종합] ['M Countdown': NCT Dream won as a group of seven... Taemin's comeback [Summary]]. My Daily (in Korean). Retrieved May 25, 2021.
^Ha, Su-jeong (May 22, 2021). '음악중심' NCT DREAM, 1위x3관왕 질주..태민 입대전 마지막 컴백 [종합] ['Music Core': NCT Dream's 3rd win, Taemin's last comeback before enlistment [Summary]]. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved May 25, 2021.
^Kang, Min-kyung (May 23, 2021). '인기가요' 태민, 끝 없는 변신..다크 카리스마 'Advice'[별별TV] ['Inkigayo': Taemin's endless transformation... dark charisma of 'Advice' [Star TV]]. StarNews (in Korean). Retrieved May 25, 2021.
^Haasch, Palmer; Pawa, Anjana (December 29, 2021). "The best K-pop songs of 2021". Insider. Archived from the original on December 29, 2021. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
^Chakraborty, Riddhi; Dongre, Divyansha; Majumder, Oysmita (January 4, 2022). "21 Best Korean Music Videos of 2021". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
