Pleasure Shop is the third Korean extended play (EP) by South Korean singer Key. It was released on September 23, 2024, through SM Entertainment. The EP has a futuristic theme, and contains six songs, including the lead single, "Pleasure Shop".
Composition
The EP consists of six songs belonging to the house genre.[1] Lead single "Pleasure Shop" is an electro house song with a synth pad pattern and "danceable" drum beat. The lyrics, written by Key, depict Key as a cyborg leading people into his world.[2] "Overthink" features repetitive synth arpeggios and rhythmic kick sounds. It compares the human brain to a virtual world, with lyrics about stopping the thoughts that won't go away. "Golden" contains youthful themes. It blends dance pop and house music, incorporating organ, synths and nylon guitar. "I Know" is a retro house song with layered bass sounds, upbeat synth chords and snap sounds. It portrays the narrator possessing the subconscious of another.[3] "Going Up" is a funk-based pop song with rhythmic percussion and clap sounds over a strong bassline. The lyrics compare an inescapable and dangerous love to being stuck in a nightmare. Finally, "Novacaine" is an uptempo indie pop song with a drum and bass rhythm pattern. It utilises synths to evoke a "dreamy" atmosphere, with lyrics expressing longing for an ex. The song is written in English, following the tradition of Key including an English song in his albums.[4]
Release and promotion
On September 2, 2024, SM Entertainment announced that Key would release his third Korean EP, Pleasure Shop, on September 23, his birthday.[1] Promotional content for the EP depicted Key as a cyborg inviting people to his "Pleasure Shop", where visitors could experience euphoria by drinking "pleasure juice". Key hosted a series of participatory events for fans, titled the "Pleasure Addicts Club", where they could drink the "pleasure juice" themselves.[5] He performed songs from the EP for the first time at concerts held in Seoul on September 14–15.[6] Key held a live event to discuss the EP on September 22, which was also broadcast through online platforms such as YouTube, TikTok and Weverse.[5]
^Jeong, Hee-yeon (September 9, 2024). 샤이니 키 23일 솔로 컴백…콘셉트 또 美쳤다 [Shinee Key's solo comeback is on September 23... Another crazy concept]. Sports Dong-a (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 22, 2024. Retrieved September 9, 2024 – via Naver.
^Kang, Ga-hee (September 10, 2024). 샤이니 키, 하우스 장르의 다채로운 매력 담았다..23일 '플레저 숍' 발매 [Shinee's Key embraces the colourful charms of the house genre.. 'Pleasure Shop' to be released on the 23rd]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 10, 2024. Retrieved September 19, 2024 – via Naver.
^Hwang, Hye-jin (September 11, 2024). 믿고 듣는 샤이니 키 영어곡 또 온다…23일 ‘Novacaine’ 발매 [Shinee's Key will include another English song you can trust and listen to... 'Novacaine' to be released on the 23rd]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 11, 2024. Retrieved September 19, 2024 – via Naver.
^ abJi, Min-kyung (September 20, 2024). 샤이니 키, 벌써 도파민 터졌다..차원이 다른 즐거움 예고 [Shinee Key's dopamine already bursting... Heralding a different level of pleasure]. Osen. Archived from the original on September 22, 2024. Retrieved September 22, 2024 – via Naver.
^Choi, Joo-seong (September 16, 2024). 샤이니 키, 솔로 아시아투어 피날레…"늘 마지막처럼 공연" [Shinee Key's solo Asia tour finale... "Always performing as if it's the last time"]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 22, 2024. Retrieved September 22, 2024 – via Naver.
