ASC2NT debuted last year and caught my attention with their strong vocals. Neither of their songs so far have fully taken advantage of this asset, but I can tell the group could do great things with the right material. New single Don’t Move gets closer to fulfilling that potential, offering an addictive electro thump.
We’ve heard this style of beat-drop chorus many times before, but Don’t Move is an above average example of the form. For this structure to work, the verses must be incredibly thrilling to make up for the emptiness of the chorus. ASC2NT take care of this with a dramatic performance that recalls the brazen theatricality of K-pop’s earlier generations. This energy carries through to a standout bridge, which is made possible thanks to Don’t Move‘s 3+ minute runtime.
While much of Don’t Move is cobbled together in melodic fragments that don’t develop into much of anything, they’re delivered with enough flair to make the song consistently engaging. I can’t tell how much of this is due to the music itself or the fact that its energy reminds me of so many better songs from past years. But in an underwhelming week of new releases, I’m happy enough to hear a pleasant pastiche that conjures some uniquely K-pop flourishes.
Hooks
8
Production
8
Longevity
8
Bias
9
RATING
8.25