Xdinary Heroes – Deadlock (Mini-Album Review)

Xdinary Heroes’ 3rd mini-album mesmerizes with 7 tracks that beckon listeners to depart upon a dizzying journey into a psychedelic wonderland of sound.

After almost a year’s wait for the follow-up to the E.P. ‘Hello, World!’ in 2022, fans of Xdinary Heroes’ unique brand of modern Korean rock were on tenterhooks for a new album. However, upon the release of ‘Deadlock’, it was unanimously decided the wait was more than worth it.

Across 7 memorable tracks, Xdinary Heroes push the limits of their ‘K-Rock’ label and come close to even overstepping the line completely, but in the best way possible. There are times when their music forces you to question what exactly you are hearing or where it has taken you; the disorientating yet exhilarating undertones of ‘Deadlock’ encourage listeners to thrill in its song’s colorful narratives and addictive rhythms.

The album’s 1st track, ‘Come Into My Head’, is a disjointed whirlwind of sound, exactly the kind of album opener fans of Xdinary Heroes would expect. Alongside the chorus’ distorted guitar riff, are the extremely memorable and infectious vocals of members Jungsu and Jooyeon, known for their dramatic and energetic vocal performances. Overall the song is expertly executed, placing the band’s bold sound centre-stage and introducing ‘Deadlock’ with a generous helping of dramaticism.

Next comes the album’s title track, ‘Freakin’ Bad’, carrying with it a swaggering air of rebellion and attitude that fans will no doubt lap up in spades. Embracing the ‘bad boy’ look and sound so often adopted by K-Pop boy groups in signature Xdinary Heroes’ style, the song serves as the boundary-pushing staple of ‘Deadlock’, featuring daringly suggestive lyrics alluding to curse words (still a rarity in K-Pop).

Aside from a melody that begs listeners to chant along, the song contains lyrics such as “I don’t really care, Imma go my way” and “Freakin’ freakin’ bad but good” which fuels the band’s hardcore image of playful toughness.

From this title track alone, it is clear that even under the management of Studio J, a sub-label under Korean entertainment giant JYP Entertainment, Xdinary Heroes strives for more than just meeting industry requirements. The band seems to take pride in subverting expectations of modern Korean rock music and delivering it to audiences perhaps unaware of the diverse sounds present in the Korean music scene.

Though this title track deserves praise in itself, it is the album’s 3rd track, ‘Bicycle’, that really feels like the perfect characterisation of ‘Deadlock’s unique tone. Framed by a deliciously dark bass riff and feverish raps from members’ O.de and Gaon, ‘Bicycle’s chorus is a dizzying but delightfully fun symphony of sound that just keeps on giving.

Though this may be a song that requires more than one listen for some fans, there is a method to all of the album’s madness, and with every replay, the subtle tricks of genius underlying ‘Deadlock’ continue to unravel.

Another of the album’s standout tracks is undoubtedly the 5th track, titled ‘Good Enough’. In a rare attempt at a ballad, the track displays possibly one of the best vocal performances of this year’s releases in K-Pop. As the band’s first full-length English language song, main vocalists Jungsu and Jooyeon are put to the test to deliver a heartfelt tale of love, loss, and heartbreak.

With minimal instrumental accompaniment, Jooyeon’s stunning operatic vocals and Jungsu’s powerfully emotional croon are instantly captivating in their tragic and painful depictions of lost love and yet heart-wrenching in their romantic and touching delivery. This is the type of song that artists wait many years into their career’s for; one which will leave listeners either slow-waltzing in their living room or solemnly reflecting on past loves.

Overall, ‘Deadlock’ is a thrilling rollercoaster ride of darkness, madness, and exhilaration featuring 7 tracks varying from poignantly romantic ballads to eerily absurd rock bangers that seem to continually catch the audience off-guard.

Xdinary Heroes is an extremely promising young band whose sound is very hard to describe, partly due to their flare for bold and experimental aesthetics that translate impressively well into their songs and albums. In the K-Pop industry’s current demands for fresh new sounds and faces, it is a great sign that Xdinary Heroes have been able to tap into a sound and style previously unexplored and realized to its full potential. If truly ‘unique’ is what you’re looking for, look no further than this band.

Score/Excellent: In a music industry currently rife with debates over originality and new creativity in music, it is rare to see an artist who manages to go above and beyond with a musical concept such as with Xdinary Heroes. Any fans of modern Korean rock as well as those with an inclination towards the dark, weird, and wonderful in music should definitely give this band a try. The future could not look better for this band.

[We rank albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent].