After breaking into the big leagues last year, QWER have been a reliable fixture on the Korean charts. Korea loves a rock band with a quirky, indie sound and QWER fill a void. As far as chart success is concerned, they feel like the female DAY6 at the moment. In addition to their off-kilter material, the group is more than capable of rattling off a straightforward ballad. Special single Blue Whale (흰수염고래) has all the hallmarks of another hit — probably because it’s been one before. The song is a cover of the 2011 original by famous rock band YB.
While I don’t have a ton of space for this style of track in my personal music library, I appreciate the kind of rock ballad that takes its time to build toward emotional peaks. Blue Whale may not reinvent any wheels, but it traces its way through the tracks of its influence in a studied, effective way. Blue Whale is one long exercise in build, starting hushed and finishing with more gusto. There’s not one moment of huge climax, but the song’s snowballing effect keeps listeners engaged and emphasizes its message of encouragement. We can all use a song like this in our lives from time to time, and it’s lovely to hear QWER honor one of K-pop’s most legendary rock acts.
Hooks
8
Production
8
Longevity
8
Bias
8
RATING
8