Good & Great is the second Korean extended play (EP) by South Korean singer Key. It was released on September 11, 2023, through SM Entertainment. The EP features an office theme, and contains six songs from various genres, including the title track as the lead single.
In May 2023, Key's agency, SM Entertainment, released an earnings report revealing that he was scheduled to release a new EP in the third quarter of the year.[2] The EP follows his "retro trilogy" series, consisting of Bad Love (2021), Gasoline (2022) and Gasoline's reissue Killer (2023).[3]
The EP consists of six songs from various genres.[3] Lead single "Good & Great" is a dance-pop song with a rhythmic piano melody. The song is aimed at office workers, and contains lyrics about Key taking pride in his work.[4] "Can't Say Goodbye" is a retro pop song that combines guitar, synths, slap bass and drums to create a "funky" mood. The lyrics are about being unable to say goodbye to someone.[5] The third track, "Intoxicating", is an uptempo house-pop song about falling in love.[6] It features rhythmic synth beats, strong 808 bass and "dynamic" vocal melodies composed of alternating low and high notes. "Live Without You" is a dance-pop song containing funk guitar and repetitive bass riffs. It compares trying to erase memories of an ex-partner to drinking alcohol.[5] "CoolAs" is an English song belonging to the electro-dance genre, containing a low-pitched bassline and synths.[6] Finally, R&B track "Mirror Mirror" features guitar riffs, whistling sounds and soft synth bell arpeggios. The lyrics, penned by Key, are about his feelings when looking in the mirror.[7]
Good & Great was announced on August 21, 2023, through the release of a teaser image showing an employee ID badge.[8] Pre-orders began the same day.[3] A schedule for promotional content was revealed using the productivity application Notion, fitting the office theme.[8] Key released a series of teaser videos titled "Work Week", depicting him as a tired employee working in an office.[9] He launched a website where users could have their own virtual desk and leave each other messages.[10] The EP was released on September 11,[11] and Key held a live broadcast to commemorate its release through Shinee's social media accounts.[12]
^Moon, Ye-bin (August 29, 2023). 샤이니 키, '굿 앤 그레이트' 내달 발매…직장인 위한 팝 댄스곡 [Shinee's Key to release 'Good and Great' next month... Pop dance song for office workers]. Newsis (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 10, 2023. Retrieved September 10, 2023 – via Naver.
^ abHwang, Hye-jin (September 1, 2023). '컴백' 샤이니 키, 다채롭게 즐기는 '만능 치트키' 앨범 [Shinee Key's comeback: album of 'all-round cheat Key' that can be enjoyed in various ways]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 10, 2023. Retrieved September 2, 2023 – via Naver.
^ abKim, No-eul (August 30, 2023). 샤이니 키, 보컬도 매력도 'Good & Great' [Shinee's Key shows charming vocals on 'Good & Great']. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 10, 2023. Retrieved September 2, 2023 – via Naver.
^Choi, Hye-jin (August 31, 2023). 샤이니 키, 새 앨범 수록곡 직접 작사..거울에 비친 '나'의 이야기 [Shinee's Key wrote the lyrics for B-side songs on his new album... The story of 'me' reflected in the mirror]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 10, 2023. Retrieved September 2, 2023 – via Naver.
^ abSeon, Mi-kyung (August 22, 2023). 샤이니 키, 'Good & Great' 컴백 스케줄 공개..유니크함 더했다 [Shinee's Key reveals comeback schedule for 'Good & Great'.. added uniqueness]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 10, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023 – via Naver.
^Lee, Min-ji (September 8, 2023). 샤이니 키, 새 앨범으로 증명한 콘셉트 마스터키 [Shinee's Key: concept master key proven with new album]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved September 10, 2023 – via Naver.
^Choi, Hye-jin (September 6, 2023). 샤이니 키, 'Good & Great' 발매 기념 라이브..인턴 DJ의 보이는 라디오 [Shinee's Key will hold a livestream to celebrate the release of 'Good & Great'... Intern DJ's visible radio]. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 10, 2023. Retrieved September 10, 2023 – via Naver.