Lucifer is the second studio album by South Korean boy band Shinee, released on July 19, 2010, in South Korea. It features "Lucifer" as the lead single. It was re-released as Hello on October 4, 2010. The album is listed by Gaon Album Chart as the sixth best-selling album of 2010 in South Korea, with over 120,000 copies sold.
Background and composition
Lucifer was Shinee's second studio album, coming two years into their career. It marked the first time they were given significant input in the creative direction of an album, from the music to the styling. Member Jonghyun commented, "The public's perception of idols is that we are 'made-up.' In this regard, our company gave us a lot of room [to give more input] during the making of this second album." The group, previously known for their youthful sound, adopted a more adult, "masculine" image as a result.[1]
The album has been described as possessing an "electronica-inspired K-pop sound with a tinge of vintage '80s synth".[1] Lead single "Lucifer" is a 1980s-inspired electronica song that compares a two-faced lover to the devil.[2] "Electric Heart" features "soft, whispering vocals" laid over electronic beats and a guitar chorus. Key named the song his favourite on the album, citing its difference from the band's existing work.[1] Member Onew made his debut as a lyricist on track 9, "Your Name", while Jonghyun contributed lyrics for the second time (after writing lyrics for "Juliette"). "Shout Out" was co-written by all of the members.[3] "Love Still Goes On" is viewed as "kind of a sequel" to "Love Should Go On" from the group's debut mini-album Replay. Minho wrote the raps to "Up & Down", "Obsession", "Your Name", and co-wrote the songs "Wowowow" with JQ and "Shout Out" with the fellow members and Misfit. In the repackaged album Hello, he wrote the rap for the title track "Hello", and co-wrote the raps for "One" and "Get It".[3]
"Ready or Not" was written and composed by Will Simms, a French music producer who made his debut in SM Entertainment with this song.[4] Risto Asikainen and Setä Tamu also contributed to the song and Misfit penned the lyrics.
Release and reception
Teaser images of the band's members were released online from July 8 to July 12.[5] A highlight medley containing snippets of the album tracks was also posted on Shinee's official website on July 15, showcasing the variety of genres.[6] The album was released on July 19, and within hours, topped various physical and digital sales charts in South Korea.[7] The songs on the album "were more carefully selected than ever", and the album itself is said to "[give] listeners a great chance to experience the diverse musical characters and more mature vocal skills of the members".[8]
Shinee released a repackaged album of Lucifer called Hello on October 4, 2010.[14] The lead single, also titled "Hello", was released a few days earlier on September 30.[15] The repackaged album Hello sold 63,118 copies in 2010 according to the Korean sales chart Gaon.[12]
On November 26, 2010, the track "Obsession" was announced as the theme song for the film, The Warrior's Way.[16] The lead single "Lucifer" was also featured on the January 29, 2018 episode of Fox's popular TV series, Lucifer.[17]
^Lee, Jae-hoon (July 16, 2010). 샤이니, 사탄 우두머리 '루시퍼' 앞세우다 [Shinee releases 'Lucifer']. Newsis (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 29, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee, Jung-ah (July 8, 2010). 샤이니, 19일 새 앨범 발표 '민호부터 파격 변신 순차적 공개' [Shinee to release a new album on the 19th. 'Sequentially revealing a radical transformation starting with Minho.']. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 29, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022 – via Naver.
^Baek, Ji-eun (July 15, 2010). '컴백' 샤이니, 10초만에 느낄 수 있는 대박 퀄리티 ['Comeback' Shinee, great quality you can feel in 10 seconds]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 29, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2022 – via Naver.
^""샤이니, 유행보다 실험…쉬운 아이돌 아니에요" (인터뷰)" [Shinee, more experimental fashion ... it's not easy to be an idol" (interview)]. Nate. Archived from the original on October 19, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
^Lee, Eun-jeong (September 27, 2010). 샤이니, 내달 2집 리패키지 음반 발표 [Shinee to release second repackage album next month]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 29, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee, Mi-young (September 29, 2010). 샤이니, 2집 '헬로우' 공개…로맨틱 가이 변신 [Shinee releases second album 'Hello'... Transforming into a romantic guy]. Joy News 24 (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 29, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2022 – via Naver.
^Yang, Man-su. "영화 '워리어스 웨이' 샤이니 '욕' 뮤직비디오와 만나다" [Watch Shinee's music video for The Warrior's Way]. Today Korea. Archived from the original on September 1, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
^Lim, Se-young (December 9, 2010). 제25회 골든디스크 시상식 성황리에 마무리 [The 25th Golden Disk Awards finish with a great success]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 27, 2016. Retrieved July 27, 2016 – via Joins.
^Lee, Jung-ah (July 31, 2010). "샤이니, 컴백 일주일만에 지상파 음악프로 1위" [Shinee, No. 1 in terrestrial music program a week after comeback]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
^Choi, Joon-yong (August 6, 2010). "천하무적 샤이니, 2주 연속 '뮤뱅' 1위..'가요계 평정'" [Invincible Shinee, #1 in 'Music Bank' for 2 weeks in a row...]. Asian Economy (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
^Jung, Eun-mi (August 9, 2010). "샤이니, '뮤뱅' 이어 '인기가요' 1위 석권" [Shinee wins first place in 'Inkigayo' after 'Music Bank']. Joy News 24 (in Korean). Retrieved March 2, 2021.
^Yoon, Guy (August 15, 2010). "샤이니, 2주 연속 뮤티즌송 수상 '얼떨떨'" [Shinee, winner of Mutizen Song for 2 weeks in a row]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
^Gil, Hye-sung (October 18, 2010). "샤이니 '헬로', 15일 '뮤뱅' 결방분 1위" [Shinee's 'Hello', No. 1 in 'Music Bank' on the 15th]. StarNews (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
^Baek, Sol-mi (October 17, 2010). "샤이니, '헬로우'로 '인기가요' 1위…"보아누나 감사해요"" [Shinee, ranked 1st in 'Popular Song' with 'Hello'..."Thank you, Boa"]. My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
