To me, new Korean/Japanese boy group KJRGL are most memorable because their name looks like someone smashed their head on a keyboard and wrote down the resulting nonsense. In reality, “KJRGL” is an acronym for “Kind (of) Just Right Good Luck”, which is somehow even more endearing. They’re under Sony Music Entertainment Korea, but debut track Overture ~ The Blue Wave sees them performing in Japanese. Fans may recognize a couple members from Boys Planet and the second season of Japan’s Produce 101.
I’m assuming KJRGL will be the latest group to straddle the line between Japanese and Korean promotions, similar to SM’s NCT Wish. This makes them a little hard to classify, but as long as the music hits I’m not too concerned with language. With that in mind, Overture ~ The Blue Wave shows promise but could use some polish. I like the song’s propulsive synth atmosphere. The production has a satisfying fullness that sweeps you off your feet. An unneeded breakdown in the second verse briefly upends this goodwill, but overall the energy remains high and exciting.
I’m not as convinced by Overture‘s top line. The melodies feel overly busy, often forcing the guys’ voices into awkward phrasing that plays against the swift focus of the instrumental. Despite this, the chorus is instantly catchy and has enough oomph to match the effusive synths. A few small tweaks here and there would make a world of difference, but I’m excited to hear where KJRGL go next.
Hooks
8
Production
8
Longevity
8
Bias
8
RATING
8