Sam Fang
Whether he’s in NCT, WayV, SuperM or all on his own, Thai artist TEN has always had a particular ability to make sensuality look effortless. Whether he’s dancing, singing or simply staring directly into the camera like he knows exactly what you’re thinking, there’s a silky confidence to his solo work that makes even the most straightforward pop song feel distinctly TEN.
“OUTWEST,” his latest single and music video, is a sleek, sexy bop built around TEN’s smooth vocals and effortless performance style. It may not reach the lyrical heights of some of his previous solo releases like “Paint Me Naked” or “Birthday,” but it knows exactly what it wants to be — and it’s a lot of fun because of it.
And yes, the music video is going to make fans very happy.
TEN’s OUTWEST is Sexy, Slick and Just a Little Overcooked
“OUTWEST” has all the ingredients you’d expect from a TEN release: sensuality, polished choreography and a beat designed to get people moving.
The choreography and through-line of the video make for an enjoyable watch, while TEN’s signature voice remains one of the track’s biggest strengths. There is something about the way he delivers a vocal that makes even relatively uncomplicated lyrics sound more interesting than they probably are on paper.
That said, “OUTWEST” does occasionally feel like it’s trying a little too hard. The bridge is arguably the weakest portion of the song, particularly when the vocoder-style effects kick in. TEN’s voice simply doesn’t need that much assistance. His natural tone is one of his greatest assets, and filtering it through layers of effects occasionally feels like production getting in the way of the performer.
That’s perhaps the biggest criticism of the song as a whole: it’s a little over-engineered. Not bad. Not even close…Just a little more manufactured than the TEN we know can deliver something with a bit more personality.
Thankfully, TEN is Much More Relatable IRL
As the B-side to “OUTWEST,” “IRL” feels almost like a completely different conversation. Where the title track is primarily interested in being sexy, catchy and immediately consumable, “IRL” gives TEN considerably more room to be pensive.
The lyrical difference between the two songs is genuinely night and day.
“I took this lifestyle from a daydream / Now I’m waking up to this life / Do my own tricks, no stunt double” feels like TEN reflecting on the surreal reality of the life he’s built for himself. Later, he sings about being “IRL real life with my day ones,” bringing the song back to the people who were there before the lights, stages and screaming fans.
And suddenly, this release has something to actually say.
“IRL” feels particularly poignant when TEN references going onstage and hearing everyone scream. Those are presumably the very fans who have followed him through the various chapters of his career, and the song feels like a genuine nod to the people who helped turn that daydream into a reality. It’s a much more personal proposition than “OUTWEST” ever attempts to be.
The contrast between the two tracks ultimately makes the release stronger. “OUTWEST” is the immediate hit: sexy, polished and built for replay. It’s the song you put on when you want to feel hot. The choreography and visuals amplify that energy, and TEN is more than capable of selling every second of it.
“IRL,” meanwhile, is the song that gives fans something to hold onto. It has the lyrical substance that “OUTWEST” occasionally lacks, and it feels more reflective of the artist behind the carefully constructed pop-star image. There’s a sense that TEN isn’t simply celebrating where he is now…he’s acknowledging the journey that got him here.
For the longtime fans, that duality will be key to enjoying this release. Because yes, give us the shirtless dancing music video and the seductive vocals. (Obviously. We are only human.) But give us the TEN who has something to say, too.
In the end, “OUTWEST” isn’t TEN’s most groundbreaking solo release, and its somewhat overproduced moments keep it from reaching the heights of his strongest work. But it’s still an enjoyable addition to his catalog, carried by his unmistakable voice, magnetic performance style and an undeniably infectious sense of sensuality.
The real surprise, however, is “IRL.” While “OUTWEST” is the flashy main event, “IRL” is the track that ultimately leaves the stronger impression. It feels more genuine, more thoughtful and more connected to the journey TEN has taken to get here.
One song gives the superstar the world expects to see, the other reminds us of the person who dreamed of becoming one.
