I don’t often review trot music, but new unit Atlantis Kitsune may be of interest to more casual K-pop fans. One of its members is Kim Sohee of disbanded girl group Nature. Nature’s most exciting material had a silly, trot-like energy at times, so the move makes sense. Atlantis Kitsune pairs her with Japanese singer Kanou Miyu and offers a good entry point for the genre.
Much of K-pop — particularly the first and second generation — is built upon trot melodies. Strip away some of the more specific production flourishes and Oh My! (어머나!) sounds kind of like an old T-ara single. Whatever your feel for the genre, it’s nice to hear the girls sing confidently throughout the entire track. Disco strings give the Oh My! an unexpected I Will Survive heft while electric guitar adds jolts of intensity. The melodies are familiar but satisfying and the arrangement keeps the energy buoyant throughout. There’s a limit to how often I reach for trot music on my playlist, but Oh My! is a strong example of the sound.
Hooks
8
Production
8
Longevity
8
Bias
8
RATING
8