[MV & Song Review] Taeyeon - 'Rain'

After letting her creative freedom shine through in "I", Taeyeon has returned boasting a new beautiful track for SM Entertainment's new 'Station' system. As expected, Taeyeon really let her brilliant vocals shine through with the mid-tempo and relaxing sound of "Rain," earning a high score in my book!

First off, "Rain" truly complements Taeyeon's voice! The instrumental is angelical with a soft tempo coupled with gentle guitar riffs, light keys from the piano, and lots of soft ad-libbing. Taeyeon's rich voice is enhanced by her soft "woo"-ing through the instrumental as well as her singing higher in the background during the bridge and chorus! The song doesn't sound strained and doesn't contain many of Taeyeon's familiar and loud high notes as her voice fades out into soft, higher pitched tones alongside the track instead-- all the while maintaining great vocal strength!

Each lyric is crystal clear and Taeyeon carries the sad imagery with her voice well throughout the song. I enjoy hearing the subtle raindrops and sounds of water coming undone and flowing through the song, as well, because they set the scene and draw the listener in. The song carries a familiar feeling one would get from listening to Stellar's "Fool" where it is a bit alternative but has a solid blend of easy listening/acoustic influences! The song is impressively catchy for a ballad that is so mid tempo and lacks upbeat sounds or repetitive crutch to make it more addictive. This element, I think, is what keeps the ballad a true ballad while still being highly enjoyable to listen on repeat! Check out the MV and feel the embrace of Taeyeon's beautiful ballad!

The MV wasn't anything beyond out of the ordinary as it was similar to other solo releases that feature idols lounging around sadly in a beautifully decorated but lifeless house, yet it was still creative and beautiful to watch.

Taeyeon is becoming surrounded by water as the MV goes on, and it represents the tears swelling up inside her, even when she has no more left to cry. The rain is metaphoric for her tears as the song goes, "I stopped the time when you were visible and the picture of you that was beautiful in the rain," meaning what she sees through her tears, and "[her] photo album that lost color" represents how many times she's cried over it. The MV is great at placing you into her shoes, both emotionally and physically. The MV gives that vibe of when it is an oddly warm rainy day but you still feel cold inside. You feel like you are being swallowed up by your emotions and crying over everything which is portrayed by the water flooding her home and all things around her becoming liquid. Taeyeon successfully pushes that empty, everlasting sadness concept well,and it gives more depth to her image than her impeccable beauty in "I." Although, I would have preferred her sweet image from "I" to be incorporated into "Rain" rather than her short hair.

The song is beautifully composed and even though the lyrics may appear slightly unoriginal, it is Taeyeon's voice that breathes life into the heartbreaking chorus. The lyrics speak of a love lost that you still want to reclaim as your own again. The verses "I feel like I want to see you tonight" and "The night is getting deeper and there is a promise I couldn't forget" emulate Taeyeon's unwillingness to forget the past shared with her lover. Although filled with recollection, "Rain" is a song that helps you look past your breakup because you accept the fact that it has just become a simple, teary memory. My favorite additions are her subtle English lyrics that mold well with her Korean lyrics! She ends the song with "Dreaming in the rain," which represents her finally resting but with tears still in her eyes.

Overall, Taeyeon has delivered another beautiful sound that is definitely bound to be on repeat on every SONE's playlist for days! Her ballad is calming, quaint and delivers a sound that can be easy to fall in love with. I know I have! What do you think of Taeyeon's solo comeback?

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