WAYF BOYS are one of the new-gen groups I’m increasingly unsure fit within the realm of “K-pop.” Yes, they’re from a Korean agency and yes, their members are Korean/Korean-American/Korean-Canadian, but their music so far has been performed in English and feels targeted to an international audience. As such, the standards with which I approach a song like Swag change.
I know Justin Bieber just had a critically-acclaimed album of this same name, but I find it difficult to glean what enjoyment could possibly come from a song entitled “Swag,” a term so overused and dated that it’s lost all meaning. As I’ve mentioned so many times on this blog, I’m unconvinced by songs that try to tell me how awesome an artist is unless they have legitimately awesome music to back up the sentiment. This Swag is as predictable as you can imagine. Trap beats, gurgly synths and a repetive, triplet-phrased arrangement with little-to-no progression.
In this way, WAYF BOYS feel like a more pop-minded CORTIS. I hear potential in their vocals and on-record personalities, but the material thus far has been pretty bad. I assume Swag is supposed to be a bit of a joke, and in this avenue it succeeds as a gen-Z memey way. Listeners who are already invested in WAYF BOYS might get a kick out of it. For the rest of us, there’s nothing new to get excited about — except maybe the cool instrumental switch-up during the song’s final moments.
Hooks
6
Production
7
Longevity
7
Bias
6
RATING
6.5