New SM Entertainment girl group Hearts2Hearts debuted late last month to mixed reviews. Title track The Chase is a fine slice of moody pop, but it’s an odd and underwhelming choice when couched within the agency’s storied history of debut bangers. That continues with promoted b-side Butterflies, which slows the mood even further.
It’s probably my own fault for buying the hype that Hearts2Hearts was going to be SM’s “new SNSD,” and I must remember that alongside the brilliant, timeless Into The New World, SNSD’s own debut album housed quite a bit of treacly filler. But without an out-of-the-gate smash to their name yet, Hearts2Hearts feel as if they’re swimming through the murk trying to find their space in the industry.
Though it feels even less like a single than The Chase, Butterflies does a more convincing job deploying the mid-to-late 90’s R&B sound SM is so fond of. The harmonies are gorgeous and the performance has a slinky grace that’s quite satisfying. The production feels almost quiet storm in execution and I love the occasional use of icy strings. It’s as if there’s a ton of musical drama swirling just below the surface but the song’s controlled execution refuses to let it burst free. This tension forms a nice contrast. If the group can find a way to twist this style into the type of megawatt single they need, I might begrudgingly hang up my “new SNSD” expectation and watch them do their thing. However, the music isn’t quite there yet.
Hooks
7
Production
8
Longevity
8
Bias
8
RATING
7.75