OnlyOneOf’s 2022 “Underground Idol” series gave them great focus, helping to carve out a sonic and thematic place for their music. Since then, their work has become more fractured. The abrasive Seoul Drift grew quite addictive over time, but their BL drama “Bump Up Business” was so cheesy I couldn’t even finish it. It’s probably a good time to turn the page and step into a new era, and dOpamine is the track to do it.
OnlyOneOf are at their best when putting their own stamp on current trends. With dOpamine, they’ve extracted the essence of the drum-and-bass/garage sound and transformed it to fit their whims. Judging from the first verse alone, the song is not what I expected. Up until the first chorus, I was prepared for another pleasant — but underwhelming — entry in this genre. However, the guys up the tempo considerably as we hit that chorus, adding real fuel to the arrangement. This is paired with a standout melody that shoots for the rafters, delivering what might be their strongest hook yet.
dOpamine fits well into the group’s catalog without sounding like anything they’ve done before. The production throughout is immaculate, and maybe that’s the common thread linking this track to past efforts. I love the use of guitar and bright, 90’s synth. The call-and-response backing vocals are even better, adding such character to the track. It’s the rare song that manages to be both an upbeat banger and an emotional centerpiece. I’m liking it more with every listen — a great sign, for sure!
EDIT: It looks like the video was initially uploaded early by mistake and will be available again during its originally scheduled time. It’s worth looking forward to!
Hooks
9
Production
9
Longevity
9
Bias
9
RATING
9