In this episode of Anatomy of a Song, I focus on the vocal detail and control behind some of Red Velvet’s most R&B-leaning tracks, including “Cool Hot Sweet Love,” “Perfect 10,” and more.

By stripping the production back, I listen closely to how the members handle tone, layering, harmonies and delivery — and where their vocals really shine. Red Velvet are often praised for their vocal ability, but how does that actually hold up when you isolate the performances?

Using my ranking system — civilian, athlete, Olympian, or world class — I break down what makes their vocal approach so distinctive and where different moments land on that scale.