A.C.E are the latest boy group to make a long-awaited, post-enlistment return. We haven’t heard from them since 2021’s Changer, but now they’ve teased the release of a new album in the coming weeks. Before that, we have special pre-release single Effortless — an English-language track that’s very in line with current trends.
For me, A.C.E are at their best when they get ambitious and go big. Songs like Under Cover and Favorite Boys are excellent examples of this, but even their debut-era hardstyle tracks pushed against the grain to deliver something fresh. Effortless is a perfectly solid song, but I feel like I’ve heard it a thousand times over the past few years. The sheer glut of slinky basslines in pop music has caused the sound to lose much of its appeal. A.C.E sound great on Effortless, and the track builds toward a decent chorus. The problem is, this could have been delivered by anyone.
I’m eager to see what else they have up their sleeves. Their track record promises excellent music in the future.
Hooks
8
Production
7
Longevity
8
Bias
8
RATING
7.75