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Gasoline is the second studio album by South Korean singer Key. It was released on August 30, 2022, through SM Entertainment. It consists of eleven tracks, including lead single "Gasoline". The album was commercially successful, debuting at number one on South Korea's Circle Album Chart, and received positive reviews from music critics.

Gasoline
Digital and VHS version cover
Studio album by Key
Released	August 30, 2022 (2022-08-30)
Genre	K-pop
Length	36:56
Language	Korean English
Label	SM Dreamus
Key chronology
Bad Love (2021) Gasoline (2022)
Singles from Gasoline
"Gasoline" Released: August 30, 2022

Background

Gasoline is Key's first solo release in nearly a year, following his 2021 EP Bad Love. His first studio album Face was released in 2018.[1] He began developing the album while working on Bad Love, and took inspiration from various retro horror films, such as Friday the 13th, Gremlins and Mars Attacks!.[2][3] Born in 1991, he grew up before the introduction of computer-animated films, and was influenced by the hand-drawn designs associated with the films of his childhood.[3][4] Key stated that he wanted to show a different, more "powerful" side with this album, describing it as "Something that only Key can do".[3] He wrote four of the eleven songs himself, saying he wanted "to give life to the album" by including autobiographical stories.[5]

Composition

Lead single "Gasoline" is a hip hop dance song that features chanting laid over brass and drum sounds. The lyrics, written by Key, express his determination to forge his own path like gasoline.[6] "Bound" is an uptempo pop song with a heavy bass and various club sounds. The lyrics describe his desire to overcome his limitations.[7] "Villain" features Jeno of NCT, and contains rhythmic synths and FX sounds. It is about a villain who has aspirations of becoming the main character.[8] "Burn" is a pop song that features piano riffs, a strong bass and rhythmic electric guitar sounds. Lyrically, it is described as an "emotional" song about the burning flames of a relationship.[7] "Guilty Pleasure" is a synthwave song that utilises synthesizers and bass.[9] "G.O.A.T (Greatest of All Time)" is a pop ballad about the hardships and concerns of adulthood. It includes bells, synths and soft bass sounds, with an orchestra in the second half.[10] "I Can't Sleep" is an uptempo pop song with electric guitar riffs. The lyrics describe feelings of insomnia. "Ain't Gonna Dance" is a midtempo pop song with rhythmic 808 bass and drum loops. It depicts the relationship between two people who are cautious about expressing their attraction to each other.[11] "Another Life" is an electropop dance song with synth sounds. Written in English, the lyrics describe wanting to travel to another dimension in pursuit of eternal love.[12][13] "Delight" is a retro-inspired disco pop song that features keyboards, organ, bass and drums.[9] R&B song "Proud" contains autobiographical themes and was inspired by passages from Key's mother's diary. It incorporates hip hop drum beats, 808 bass, piano and guitar sounds.[14]

Release and promotion

On August 9, 2022, Key's agency SM Entertainment announced the album's release through the publication of a teaser poster on Shinee's social media accounts. It was confirmed to contain eleven tracks, including lead single "Gasoline", with the release date set for August 30.[1] Promotional materials, including concept images and videos, were revealed from August 16 onwards, showcasing a gothic theme.[15] Key performed the lead single for the first time at the SM Town Live 2022: SMCU Express concert at Suwon World Cup Stadium.[7] A music video for album track "Another Life" was released on August 26,[12] followed by a lyric video for "Proud" the next day".[14] Key hosted a countdown livestream on August 30 through Shinee's YouTube and TikTok channels to celebrate the album's release.[16] The set where he shot the teaser images for Gasoline was available as a photo zone for fans at SM's Seongsu-dong office until September 13.[9]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
IZM	[17]
NME	[18]

Gasoline received generally positive reviews from music critics. Writing for IZM, Yeom Dong-gyo felt that Gasoline solidified Key's identity as a solo artist. He believed that it was a strong follow-up to Face, highlighting the album's autobiographical themes.[17] NME reviewer Tanu I. Raj praised Key's songwriting abilities, stating that the songs he contributed lyrics to were particular standouts.[18]

Track listing

Personnel

Charts

References

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