Rookie group LNGSHOT have been making a name for themselves this year, with many anticipating their first comeback. There’s a certain sliver of the K-pop landscape that seems to reject classic idol tropes in favor of acts who feel a bit more rough around the edges. This usually means adopting hip-hop posturing as a show of “authenticity”. If anyone’s prepared to ride this wave, it’s Jay Park.
With Park behind their creative development, LNGSHOT are able to skirt the line between idol and “underground” act. This means my reaction to their output will likely be quite varied, as the version of K-pop I enjoy is the hyper-produced theater I can’t find in any other global market. Listening to a song like 4SHO 4SHO invites comparisons to the many Western acts already producing this kind of material. And quite frankly, it makes the song feel less special.
I don’t know that I’ll find any use for 4SHO 4SHO in my music library. The beat is decent — if ultra-familiar — but the hook is monotonous and doesn’t take advantage of LNGSHOT’s skill as vocalists. It’s nice to see them join their mentor on a track, but this isn’t close to Jay Park’s best work either. It feels more like a placeholder as both acts prepare their next moves.
Hooks
7
Production
7
Longevity
7
Bias
7
RATING
7