The Story
Kang Daniel · 2022
48 min · 15 tracks · K-pop
A vibrant blend of K-pop and dance-pop that pulsates with infectious energy and introspective lyrics.
Top tracks — play these first
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Selfish — This track stands out for its catchy hook and relatable lyrics about self-reflection in relationships, encapsulating the album's emotional core.
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Nirvana — With its upbeat tempo and uplifting message, Nirvana exemplifies Kang Daniel's ability to fuse energetic production with introspective themes.
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Ghost — Ghost features haunting melodies paired with evocative lyrics that explore themes of loss and longing, showcasing Kang's vocal versatility.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends energetic pop with introspective lyrics, showcasing solid production but lacking standout compositions.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features upbeat tracks with driving rhythms, while the second half shifts to more introspective themes and slower tempos.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo progression
- introspective lyrics for reflection
- catchy melodies for sing-alongs
- vibrant energy for uplifting moments
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer purely instrumental tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on May 24, 2022, The Story is Kang Daniel's first full-length album after his successful debut EP, Color on Me (2019). At this point, he had established himself as a prominent solo artist following his time in the boy group Wanna One, marking a significant step in showcasing his artistic evolution and musical depth.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Upside Down
The bridge shifts into a more vulnerable tone, where the protagonist admits their insecurities and fears about love.
This moment marks a stark contrast to the earlier confident verses, illustrating a nuanced emotional journey within the song.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Parade 3:03
- 2 Selfish 2:51
- 3 Upside Down 3:16
- 4 Loser 3:11
- 5 Don’t Tell 3:05
- 6 Nirvana 3:40
- 7 Ride 4 U 2:28
- 8 How We Live 3:14
- 9 Mad 3:20
- 10 1000x 3:10
- 11 Ghost 3:30
- 12 Moment 3:21
- 13 The Story 3:24
- 14 Ride 4 U (remix) 3:40
- 15 Nirvana (solo ver.) 3:39
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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