VAYONN are the second new boy group to emerge from Kin Jaejoong’s iNKODE label, adopting a brighter sound palette than their hip-hop peers KEYVITUP. They teased their debut with the so-so Watta Day last month, and I suspect that song will play better in the context of an album. The bouyant MUAH! is their big title track and definitely makes a greater impression on me.
I prefer my K-pop to sound as “K-pop” as possible, meaning the songs don’t feel like something a Western artist would easily replicate. MUAH! has a heaping dose of classic power pop woven into its form, but delivers a specific K-pop fizziness that sets it apart. It’s a burst of energy from start to finish, with each segment building on the last until we reach the bounding, ebullient chorus. It all skews very young, including the vocal performance, but that energy is welcome — especially during the summer.
In the long lineage of bright boy group debuts, I don’t see MUAH! sticking out in the way others (Astro, NCT Dream, Golden Child, TWS, etc) have, and part of that is due to a very oversaturated market. However, this K-pop summer is in dire need of some big, upbeat pop tunes and I’m glad to see a new group leading that charge. MUAH! will get the job done, especially when its percolating synths and stomping percussion come in.
Hooks
8
Production
9
Longevity
8
Bias
9
RATING
8.5