Way back in 2001 when reality TV was still in its infancy, the American iteration of manufacture-a-pop-group series Popstars resulted in the formation of girl group Eden’s Crush. Over two decades later, they’re most notable for introducing Nicole Scherzinger (of Pussycat Dolls fame) to the world. But a select few of us millennials still remember the faceless, factory pop of Eden’s Crush’s one and only single Get Over Yourself. It’s like a time capsule, notable as an encapsulation of trends rather than any musical acclaim. I wonder if — in twenty years — VCHA will end up like Eden’s Crush? Will someone emerge as their Nicole Scherzinger?
New single Only One doesn’t offer many clues. It doesn’t offer much of anything, really. It’s an airtight piece of factory pop, as indistinguishable as can be. You might have heard it in a Disney or Nickelodeon made-for-TV-movie back in the 2000’s, except it would’ve boasted more character to drive the story forward. As it stands, Only One feels more like an AI creation — a conglomeration of keywords and trends. It’s a summarization when it should be a scene.
This review is intentionally meandering and vague because I don’t know how else to write about music this innocuous. I hope the song finds its fans who will cherish it as a silly little time capsule of their youth and reference its presence in some random music review twenty years down the line. Sadly, I can’t be that fan because the whole thing went in one ear and out the other, leaving no trace behind.
Hooks
7
Production
8
Longevity
7
Bias
7
RATING
7.25