I keep seeing headlines about how well BABYMONSTER’s Batter Up has done with streams and views. The amount of interaction and hits on my review of the song bear that popularity out. Admittedly, I’m surprised there’s still such an appetite for this specific YG Entertainment song template. The debut of a new YG act is always exciting, but after that initial review I haven’t found myself returning to Batter Up at all. Instead, I’m waiting for the group to push beyond the agency’s stereotypes and deliver something fresh. With pre-release Stuck In The Middle, they have that opportunity.
This song emerges months before their first mini album and before member Ahyeon rejoins the group. It’s a sharp turn from Batter Up, disposing with the bombastic posturing in favor of stark balladry. While the track does an okay job showcasing the group’s vocals, I’m surprised YG decided to release such a subdued sound this early in BABYMONSTER’s rollout. I mean, it is winter and Korea loves ballads during winter, but Stuck In The Middle is just kind of… dull?
The first time through, I kept waiting for the song to morph into something more than a traditional piano ballad. Brief percussion in the mid-section gives hope, but it’s quickly ripped away as the song’s second half retains focus on piano and vocal. If you’re going to target such a reserved sound, the melodies need to be airtight. There’s a definite sense of familiarity to Stuck In The Middle‘s tune, and I can’t quite place where I’ve heard these hooks before. In any case, they call for a much more dynamic performance than we have here. The vocals are reminiscent of an audition series — pretty and competent but ultimately not very memorable or revealing. The best piano ballads use dynamics and texture to compel listeners despite their hushed atmosphere. Stuck In The Middle is just drowsy.
Hooks
7
Production
7
Longevity
7
Bias
7
RATING
7