A K-pop act’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve.
Readers, this is why I’m always going on about why it’s so important for artists to work with one or two producers who have a distinct vision for their music. LEvel is the sound of a K-pop act pairing with an idiosyncratic Japanese producer and both sides feeding off each other.
Hiroyuki Sawano (often working under the alias SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]) has a storied history in J-pop and anime music, and you can spot his sound from a mile away. I’m a big fan of his work and it’s always exciting when he pairs with an unexpected act. TXT have their own catalog of hits, but are often at the whim of the song camps that craft most of their material. LEvel filters their energy through a singular vision, resulting in a total banger.
This is to be expected, but it’s still worth giving LEvel some added hype. The song charges forward on big, bounding percussion and urges the guys to match that intensity. TXT have always found success with rock-inspired material, and their voices fit this driving rhythm perfectly. They add grit and character to the track — elements that might otherwise be smothered by the vocal filters favored by HYBE producers. LEvel is taut and focused, in-and-out in three minutes without ever losing momentum. I’d like an entire album from this pairing!
(Note that the second video, which is the full song, is likely region-blocked for many at this time. I’ll replace with a region-free version when it’s available)
Hooks
9
Production
9
Longevity
9
Bias
9
RATING
9