MEOVV scored their first long-lasting hit with this spring’s Hands Up — a track that rose to the top thanks to its sheer catchiness and verve. It’s no surprise the group would seek to replicate that sound, and new single Burning Up enlists their usual squad of producers to craft a similar energy.
Like Hands Up, Burning Up puts much of its focus on the beat. A steady pulse keeps things moving amidst a somewhat fractured arrangement. There are flashes of brilliance, most notably during the melodic pre-chorus that recalls excellent Teddy-produced works of the past. I keep waiting for Burning Up to latch onto a melody as grand and classic as 2NE1’s I Love You. Instead, much of the song is chanted or simply spoken. This approach forces it into a similar lane as so many other recent tracks, making Burning Up feel like a copy of a copy.
Within this sub-genre, Burning Up is charming enough to work — but just barely. The girls sell the energy, even if that energy could be turned up a few notches. A series of limp switch-ups during the song’s second half do it no favors, but the first half holds a lot of promise. Overall, this group has so much potential. I’m waiting for them to get a song as strong as their ability.
Hooks
7
Production
8
Longevity
8
Bias
8
RATING
7.75