K-pop royalty Super Junior are returning with their eleventh full-length album (twelfth if you count 2015’s “special album” Devil). It’s set to be released in two parts, and new song Don’t Wait serves as a pre-release for the first half. New Super Junior material is always welcome, and I’m thankful for how frequently they deliver music at this stage of their career.
Don’t Wait feels like a fun victory lap – a revisiting of sounds that introduces this new era with a laidback, confident excitement. The track has a classic pop/rock beat, sidestepping the industry’s 80’s obsession for a style that’s even more retro. It’s a nice fit for the guys and harnesses some of the energy that made 2015’s Devil such a career standout. This track is much more lightweight, but that’s to be expected when dealing with an upbeat pre-release.
It’s satisfying to hear Super Junior’s awesome vocal blend again. Don’t Wait offers plenty of opportunity to sing in unison, and that smooth, layered sound makes the track stick out. In fact, if it wasn’t for the guys themselves I’d probably write the song off entirely. Its hooks verge dangerously close to sounding like a commercial jingle and I’m not sure how they will age. Just a few listens in and the chorus is already starting to fizzle. But, Super Junior’s assured performance keeps Don’t Matter from becoming too novelty. It’s good, clean fun. I’m not sure that’s what I want from a K-pop track, but the group’s giddy energy is undeniably infectious.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8 |