TAEMIN Releases 'PHASE 1 : Soft Violence' Ahead of 'LiMiNaL' World Tour
2026년 8월 31일
SHINee’s TAEMIN released his new EP, 'PHASE 1 : Soft Violence,' on August 31, accompanied by the music video for 'FLOAT,' one of the project’s two title tracks. The physical edition contains 11 tracks, while the digital edition lists 10 because 'PERMISSION' is available only on CD. The EP’s title places the contrasting ideas of softness and violence side by side. Its concept explores the tension and contradictions that can exist beneath familiar forms of beauty. That contrast is also reflected in the double title tracks. 'FLOAT' combines warm pop melodies with garage-style drums and analog instrumentation, while 'Gooey' is a performance-focused hip-hop pop track driven by a classical piano sample, powerful drums, and sharper synth sounds. TAEMIN also participated in the lyrics for 'Gooey.' The track list combines five new songs with six tracks that TAEMIN first introduced during his Coachella performance in April. The previously performed material includes 'Let Me Be The One,' 'PERMISSION,' 'Sober,' '1004,' 'PARASITE,' and 'Frankenstein.' Other songs on the EP include 'Easy Loving You,' 'SKIN,' and the previously unveiled 'This Is The End.' TAEMIN contributed lyrics or composition to several tracks, giving him a direct creative role in the project. His Coachella appearance marked the first time a K-pop male solo artist had been included on the festival’s lineup. Rather than standing as a separate achievement, that performance now connects directly to the new EP through the six songs that moved from the festival stage into the finished track list. TAEMIN will next begin his 2026–27 world tour, 'LiMiNaL,' with three concerts at Seoul’s Jamsil Indoor Stadium from September 18 through September 20. The currently announced schedule then continues through the United States, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Brazil, and Europe during October and November. The new EP will therefore serve as the musical starting point for the next stage of his solo touring activities.