Sherlock

Easily one of the most-awaited comebacks in Korean pop, the Seoul-based boy band SHINee delivers a fourth EP after not offering their fans anything since their 2010 single “Lucifer.” The opening title track is actually a hybrid of the two subsequent songs, “Clue” and “Note.” Mixed by Danish producer Thomas Troelsen, the influence here comes straight from '90s Michael Jackson: namely “Jam” from Dangerous, with a hint of The Jacksons’ “Can You Feel It” in the chorus. Minho provides a clever little rap in the bridge, but this song's all about putting Jhonghyun’s soulful singing in the spotlight. At first, the next track, “Clue,” sounds like your music player is repeating the first song, but without a chorus, it takes on an entirely new shape and persona. Similarly, “Note” is all chorus and no verse, curiously playing like one half of the opening tune. “Alarm” changes things up with smooth R&B; the other members of SHINee are given room to sing their respective parts. The group ends with an acoustic cover of Brandon Faley’s ballad “Honesty.”