Most of the acts who participated on last year’s Road to Kingdom: Ace of Ace made quick comebacks soon after the series concluded. However, Tempest took their time, finally emerging with new music nearly five months later. Unfreeze arrives about a year since 2024’s Lighthouse and is their first Korean comeback after becoming a sextet.
Tempest’s musical record has been spotty, marked by high highs and low lows. Thankfully, Unfreeze pulls them closer to the former. It’s not the best song they’ve ever released, but its chugging rhythm and electro undertones make for an enjoyable mix. To me, this sounds like a moodier Can’t Stop Shining, though it doesn’t feature the wonderful vocal arrangement of that track. Instead, the guys spend much of Unfreeze performing in falsetto, lending the song a wispy sound that at times feels too thin.
Still, there’s plenty to love here. Unfreeze is focused and sharp all the way through and has a satisfying sense of movement. It could use a few moments of bombast (vocal or instrumental) to add texture to its slinky sound, as the track threatens to become a bit repetitive as it goes on. But in the ever-expanding realm of soft rock/pop boy group music, this is as effective as most comebacks.
Hooks
8
Production
8
Longevity
9
Bias
9
RATING
8.5