Though they didn’t release as much music as usual, &TEAM had a banner year in 2025. They officially became million sellers and made their Korean debut. This has seemed to mark a shift back into moodier music after their stellar, upbeat 2024 output. The group can sell these sounds convincingly, but I hope their increased move into global territories doesn’t necessitate the kind of “dark” (read: bland) trends so many other global boy groups must conform to. Sadly, the trap-rock of new single We On Fire doesn’t assuage these concerns.
We’re far from the melodic heights of Aoarashi, Koegawari and Yukiakari, replaced instead by familiar (read: bland) phrasing that forgoes anthemic heft for flat “coolness.” Often, when &TEAM take this route their instrumentals pick up the slack with big guitar riffs and theatrical bombast. With We On Fire, everything seems to be set at a low broil. Their trademark sounds are present, but at the most boring baseline you could imagine. Throw a stone in any direction of global pop music and you’ll find a dozen of these dull, trap-infused bops. Men in pop don’t want to be glitzy and glamorous anymore. The preference these days is musical apathy.
So, what we have here is &TEAM’s worst single in years. As part of an album, I could see We On Fire working as pleasant connective tissue, but as a promoted track it leaves much to be desired. Just as I feared, by trying to please a wider swath of the global audience they’ve resulted in music that thrills no one. I hope there are better songs on the single because I love this group and would hate to see their sound devolve into generic schlock.
Hooks
7
Production
7
Longevity
7
Bias
7
RATING
7