I had the chance to catch Lucy on their recent world tour and they were everything I hoped they’d be: immensely talented, very personable and chock-full of excellent music. But even in that setting, I couldn’t help but notice that their older material hit hardest. Songs like Flare and Snooze have yet to be bettered and the group’s more recent material can be a mixed bag.
New single Villain harnesses many of Lucy’s strengths but continues to be solid rather than spectacular. The band have upped the energy this time, giving the track a driving rock force. This sound reminds me of currently popular Japanese rock bands. You could easily imagine Villain acting as the OST to a drama or anime. Sangyeop’s strong vocals inject character at every turn and the group’s playing is as tight as ever, but the busyness of Villain makes it difficult for their unique charms to break through. Add a series of indistinct melodies and you have the sound of a band running on momentum rather than pausing to craft another classic.
Hooks
7
Production
8
Longevity
8
Bias
8
RATING
7.75