Beyond a return to fantastic songs, the number one aspect I’ve been missing in current girl groups is energy. STAYC’s Bebe managed to overcome a spoken-word chorus through sheer, explosive verve, proving that a blazing dance beat can make up for so-so melodies. The same can be said about Kep1er’s new Japanese single Yum. Even though much of the song is mired in frustrating sing-talk, it touches greatness every so often.
I want to being with Yum‘s most exciting moment. The first half of its chorus, when the girls’ voices are layered into a mighty wall of sound, perfectly compliments the explosive instrumental. We just don’t hear these peaks of drama anymore, and this segment instantly brings me back to the days of Kara and Nine Muses. Had the entire track followed this template, we’d be talking about an easy song-of-the-year candidate. Unfortunately, this flash of brilliance remains somewhat elusive throughout Yum.
Most of the song is pre-occupied with the kind of “talking over the track” fierceness that’s long since lost most of its bite. Yum‘s verses and repetitive post-chorus are major missed opportunities to develop something more unique and timeless. Still, I’ll circle back to my opening comment about energy. The sheer intensity of the production keeps Yum engaging despite its shortcomings. It’s similar to (ALL)HOURS’ Gimme Gimme in this way, and this is a trend I’d love to see continue throughout 2025 (with better songs, of course).
Hooks
8
Production
9
Longevity
8
Bias
9
RATING
8.5