Despite a title like Winter evoking a somber feeling, Akdong Musician's uplifting harmonies make it impossible for the listener to feel totally devastated—even on their most heartrending tracks. "Last Goodbye" details heartbreaking miscommunication between lovers over warm guitar strums, and "Reality" shares the duo's hilariously wary take on commuting, snacking, and couple life with a theatrical delivery. Much of the album details how life has changed for the siblings since breaking out with 2014's excellent Play, but Lee Chanhyuk and Lee Suhyun are still the brilliantly offbeat songwriter/producers we know and love.
- HEIZE