Kiss Of Life have quickly become one of K-pop’s buzziest acts and their ascent seems to have come about naturally. They’re not from a major agency, but their producers seem to have their finger on the pulse of popular sounds. In a K-pop summer devoid of big hits, their Sticky became an emblem of the season. They’re set to build upon this success with a new mini album, teased by pre-release R.E.M.
One thing I appreciate about Kiss Of Life is how their vocal style recalls the virtuosic approach of 90’s R&B. Even in more subdued material, the girls sing with plenty of zeal. This helped buoy the hazy nature of Sticky and the girls try to replicate that with R.E.M. Unfortunately, this time around the song is just boring.
R.E.M echoes the prevailing girl group trend of the moment, smoothing its edges until the track becomes little more than a vibe. Muted synths provide a bed for tickling, trap-influenced percussion. The song wafts by like mist, anchored only by the group’s performance. The melodies are pretty but dull, repeating often without modulating toward a compelling endpoint. This enhances R.E.M‘s sleepy flat line, making it feel like the backdrop to a lazy morning in bed. I suppose this has a certain amount of utility, but it doesn’t excite me in any way.
Hooks
7
Production
7
Longevity
8
Bias
7
RATING
7.25