If we imagine the K-pop industry as a shopping street, ONF’s music is that quirky little boutique sandwiched between big box stores. Their continued pairing with producer Hwang Hyun has resulted in a discography that — while varied in sound — boasts a consistent character and perspective. This has made them the only K-pop act to land on top of my year-end singles countdown twice since the inception of this blog. Needless to say, expectations are high whenever they release music!
New title track Bye My Monster offers something slightly different for both ONF and the industry as a whole. Its orchestral heft, vocal-driven performance and dark drama recall the hallmarks of K-pop’s hallowed “second generation.” I like what it’s doing. In fact, I think I like what it’s doing more than I like the song itself.
ONF are perfect avatars to deliver this style. They’ve showcased tremendous vocals on b-side ballads, but this is the first time that approach transfers to a title track. Bye My Monster‘s verses are delicate and spacious, shining full spotlight on the guys’ tones. And when the song builds to a climactic power note finale, it’s hard not to get goosebumps. Meanwhile, the chorus offers a sense of catharsis as percussion kicks in for a driving intensity that builds a satisfying centerpiece. Still, the melodies aren’t quite hitting in the way their best material has, and when stacked against their (admittedly fantastic) discography Bye My Monster is more likely to become a song I appreciate than actively rush to listen to.
Hooks
8
Production
9
Longevity
8
Bias
9
RATING
8.5