Advice is the third Korean-language extended play (sixth overall) recorded by South Korean singer Taemin. It was released on May 18, 2021, by SM Entertainment, produced by Cutfather, PhD, Moonshine and Ryan S. Jhun, among others. The album contains five songs including the lead single, "Advice".
Background and composition 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. The album's title Advice and cover art were revealed simultaneously. 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. "If I Could Tell You" is a collaboration with Girls' Generation member Taeyeon. It was described as a "dreamy" R&B-pop song featuring electronic piano and soft synthesizer sounds. "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. "Sad Kids" is a midtempo pop song in a minimalist arrangement of guitars.
Release and promotion Taemin premiered the title track on his solo concert, Never Gonna Dance Again, on May 2. Image concept teasers were uploaded to Shinee's social media accounts on May 10–13. On May 18, Taemin held a live event on Naver's V Live app to introduce songs from the album. Taemin promoted the title track with televised live performances on various South Korean music programs including M Countdown, Show! Music Core and Inkigayo.
Reception Writing for the South China Morning Post, Tamar Herman praised Advice for its "creativity and androgynous aesthetic". She described Taemin as charismatic and versatile.
Year-end lists + Advice on year-end lists Critic/Publication List Rank PopMatters Top 20 Best K-pop Albums of 2021 20 + "Advice" on year-end lists Critic/Publication List Rank Dazed The best K-pop tracks of 2021 22 Insider The best K-pop songs of 2021 4 Marie Claire The 20 Best New K-Pop Songs of 2021 style="text-align:center" NME The 25 best K-pop songs of 2021 7 Paper The 40 Best K-Pop Songs of 2021 16 Rolling Stone India 21 Best Korean Music Videos of 2021 2 Teen Vogue 21 Best K-Pop Music Videos of 2021 style="text-align:center" Teen Vogue The 54 Best K-Pop Songs of 2021 The Ringer The Best K-pop Songs of 2021 6 Time The Best K-Pop Songs and Albums of 2021 style="text-align:center" + "Light" on year-end lists Critic/Publication List Rank PhilStar Life Top 21 K-Pop B-Sides of 2021 12
Track listing
Charts
Weekly charts +Weekly chart performance for Advice Chart (2021) Peakposition Finnish Physical Albums (Suomen virallinen lista) 10 Japan Hot Albums (Billboard Japan) 6 South Korean Albums (Gaon) 2
Monthly charts +Monthly chart performance for Advice Chart (2021) PeakpositionJapanese Albums (Oricon) 35South Korean Albums (Gaon) 6
Year-end charts +Year-end chart performance for Advice Chart (2021) Position South Korean Albums (Gaon) 75
Sales + Overall sales for Advice Region Sales South Korea134,904
Release history + Release history and formats for Advice Region Date Format Label South Korea May 18, 2021 Various SM
References
External links
Taemin's official page "Advice" music video