So far, I haven’t had much to say about WHIB apart from commenting on their strange group name, but who am I to deny a song titled “Rush Of Joy“? We can all use more joy in our lives, and WHIB are here to dole it out with funk pop precision. For those keeping track, Rush Of Joy (배로) most certainly makes it onto my “roller rink playlist.” It’s a blast of sunshine from start to finish.
This is a specific style of rhythmic funk I enjoy so much, built upon a multifaceted bed of percussion that instantly gets my head nodding along. Every element is working together to forge this groove, from guitar to synth to hand-claps. It’s not overstuffed, but it’s also not half-assed. In a pop climate of beige, washed out instrumentals, Rush Of Joy‘s effort is appreciated.
Of course, a song can’t sustain on groove alone. Rush Of Joy‘s chorus is slight but memorable. More importantly, the track grows as it goes on, climaxing in the kind of participatory sing-along that will have even the most cynical listeners surrendering to the group’s charm. Another great example happens during verse two. Where many songs might favor an energy-shifting breakdown, Rush doubles down on its groove. It reminds me of RIIZE’s Boom Boom Bass in this way, which is probably why I have a similar reaction as I did when that song came out. The difference, of course, is that this comes from a small group from a small agency. What a pleasant surprise!
Hooks
9
Production
9
Longevity
9
Bias
9
RATING
9