HYBE has gotten very good at delivering anthemic pop/rock confections from their boy groups, and I eat them up every time. Japanese act &TEAM has cornered the market on this style, but their soon-to-be-formed junior group seems poised to take up the baton. The final team will be decided as part of yet another survival series, with Finish Line ~Last Race, New Start~ acting as its spirited signal song.
The track opens with this big fat guitar riff, which turns out to be a frustrating red herring. If only the entire song had maintained this intensity! But true to the HYBE formula, the verses pull back for an airier sound. This usually works for me, but the contrast here is a bit jarring. Finish Line’s chorus brings back the bombast, fleshing out the instrumental once again. I love the sound but I wish the melodies had a bit more unique character. The hook is catchy and optimistic but never touches those great &TEAM songs (to say nothing of TWS’s transcendent hey! hey!). Personal music bias certainly keeps this afloat, but I can’t help but be frustrated by the unfulfilled promise of Finish Line’s punchiest moments. Let’s let the guys really rock out next time! It sounds like they have the vocals to do so.
Hooks
8
Production
8
Longevity
8
Bias
9
RATING
8.25