Despite making their debut in 2020, I’ve never written about a Rolling Quartz song on the blog before. Korean rock bands like this fall into a unique category. They often perform on weekly music shows alongside idols, but their music and promotion has an approach that feels more indie. Whatever you want to call it, the glam stomp of new single Stand Up is a lot of fun.
On first listen, my ears were drawn to three elements. First, there’s that strutting beat, giving Stand Up a rhythmic drive that sets it apart from most of Rolling Quartz’s peers. I’m a big glam rock fan, so it’s nice to hear these influences make their way into this realm. Second is Stand Up‘s blazing guitar work. There’s a dynamic solo two thirds of the way through the track, every bit as rhythmically fierce as that percussion.
The third aspect that caught my ear is the tone of frontwoman Jayoung’s voice. She’s got a swaggering style — not too polished nor too rugged. There’s a natural sneer to her performance that anchors Stand Up with plenty of character. These elements combine to create a rollicking standout that has me looking forward to the future of Rolling Quartz’s output.
Hooks
8
Production
9
Longevity
9
Bias
8
RATING
8.5