In my eyes, B1A4 are one of K-pop’s all-time greats, and nothing they do now will change that. However, I’ve struggled to connect with most of their music as a trio. I miss those unique elements that only all five could deliver. And while new single Rewind doesn’t try to rekindle that magic, its throwback groove is a nice addition to their discography.
Rewind is their first title track in years, and rather than emerge with a giant statement, B1A4 have opted to slide in with an addictive rhythm and understated hooks. The song takes its cues from late-80’s/early-90’s New Jack Swing — a genre that has been well-mined by K-pop over the years. It’s one of my personal favorite sounds, but very hard to get right. You have to fully commit to the groove, and Rewind does this for much of its running time. I don’t like how it occasionally slows to a crawl, mostly because this flies in the face of the genre it’s referencing. But when the track simply rides the good will of its rhythm, it’s quite successful.
Melodically, Rewind could hit much harder. Its chorus is nice and will probably play well in the long run, but I’m eager to hear the group really punch forward with their melodies. The playful production calls for a sharper series of hooks and ends up carrying what otherwise might be a dull song. It’s still a lot of fun, though.
Hooks
8
Production
8
Longevity
9
Bias
8
RATING
8.25