A K-pop act’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve.
Defying expectations for a rookie group from a survival series, NouerA have delivered the strongest K-pop album of the year so far. ZEROBASEONE’s newest album is more consistently great, but the highs are higher on New Is Now. Its title track is excellent and so if the surging tropical house of b-side Jet Stream, but Bring The Crunk ultimately takes the crown.
I never thought I’d go to bat for a track named “Bring The Crunk,” but that title is kind of a misnomer anyway. Yes, it’s as lively and energetic as crunk, but the genre borrows much more liberally from dance and club music. The tempo is high from the start, underlining addictive rap verses that give way to sharp melodic hooks. The song keeps building until it hits its breakneck chorus. I’m a bit disappointed in the production change during verse two, but I’ve heard much worse beat drops in songs like this. Overall, I’m just thrilled to hear a K-pop group tackle such a huge, bombastic sound. It’s been a long while since I’ve heard two “9” rated songs back to back on an album — let alone a debut album!
Hooks
9
Production
9
Longevity
9
Bias
9
RATING
9