It’s a well-worn K-pop trope for bright, happy-go-lucky boy groups to eventually turn dark, brooding and shouty. However, this transformation usually doesn’t happen within the space of a one comeback! After bursting into listeners’ hearts with the buoyant On And On last November, AMPERS&ONE have already succumbed to mind-numbing shout-chanting on new single Broken Heart.
Though this shift in sound is not unexpected, it’s still depressing. Not only does it mean the group won’t be pursuing their own identifiable sound, but it also suggests a hit-or-miss quality control when it comes to song selection. Broken Heart‘s aggressive electro influences have potential, but they’re painted over with pots and pans percussion and an incessant growling that comes across as silly rather than menacing. This culminates in a noisy chorus delivered with typical boy group bluster. K-pop producers: I swear there are other ways to go “dark” than this!
As usual, the moments of melody are highlights, but they’re couched within a wholly unoriginal framework that negates their effectiveness. When more than fifty percent of a track is obnoxious to the point of being unlistenable, it’s hard to recommend even its bright spots. Here’s hoping this is a misguided bump in the road and the guys will be back with more enjoyable fare next time.
Hooks
6
Production
7
Longevity
7
Bias
7
RATING
6.75