While it was easy to pigeonhole Young Posse as a joke when they first emerged, last year’s g-funk nodding Ate That found the perfect balance between funny and awesome. There’s a huge gap in the market for colorful hip-hop that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and Young Posse feel uniquely equipped to fill it. Because of this, new single Cold is a surprising sidestep into more maudlin territory.
It’s awkward to go from dancing through a Grand Theft Auto inspired wonderland to the drama of Cold, but this is K-pop and things move fast. The group has brought singer-songwriter 10CM into the fold, instantly giving the track indie cred. And though they rap occasionally on the verses, most of the song is sung in a soft, melancholic way. This might as well be a different group entirely. I’m not sure if that versatility is exciting or confounding. I suppose it can be both at once.
As for the song, Cold is solid sentimental fare. At times it sounds as if it could be an OST, and the cinematic music video follows that path as well. The yearning chorus and atmospheric production draws influence from indie hip-hop acts like Epik High and this throwback style is suitably nostalgic. The track drags a bit for me, but the chorus is pretty and the girls convincingly portray the emotion necessary to make this work. I won’t be rushing back to this the way I did for Ate That, but it fulfills its aim in painting their musical palette with a different hue.
Hooks
8
Production
7
Longevity
8
Bias
7
RATING
7.5