For their first full-length Drip, BABYMONSTER have benefitted from an old-fashioned album campaign. These promotions include a pre-release, a title track and multiple follow-ups. We don’t see this approach very often in K-pop anymore, and the finale of this new music video promises even more to come. Today, we have the mid-tempo Really Like You, which offers a different taste of their sound.
I find this style of hip-hop much more palatable than the braggadocious energy that drove last year’s Clik Clak. It also feels more authentic to the girls. Really Like You doesn’t scream “single” to me. Its ambitions are relatively low and the overall sound is more middle-of-the-road than I would expect from a YG Entertainment rookie. However, the track does a great job balancing the skills of the members, shining spotlight on both rap and vocal. And though the melodies never crest in showstopping ways, the chorus has a nice earworm quality that should play well over time.
Similarly, Really Like You‘s retro hip-hop instrumental is modest but endearing. It’s not the kind of production that hits you over the head in any obvious way and this will likely be an asset in the long run. It’s nice to hear something simple, sweet and free from the sonic gimmicks and catchphrasey chanting that often mars title tracks. Instead, warm brass gives Really Like You a cozy vibe that’s nostalgic and refreshing.
Hooks
8
Production
8
Longevity
9
Bias
8
RATING
8.25