K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Electric Shock | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion

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Electric Shock (from Electric Shock – 2012)

While not quite my favorite f(x) title track, Electric Shock is emblematic of many of the charms found in their music. It’s a taut, relentless pop song, simultaneously inviting and aloof. The instrumental thrives on sharp electronic textures, bolstering its clapping percussion with swoops of rough synth. The verses are aggressive from the start, but the pre-chorus filters out much of the noise to focus on a breathless build. This climaxes in a chant-heavy chorus that would sound underwhelming given less interesting production.

There’s not a whole lot of melody to be found within Electric Shock’s prickly form, but its combative energy works in the song’s favor. As much as it pummels you over the head, there’s something quite engaging about it its brashness. The track is constantly seesawing up and down, fitful but focused. These contrasts go a long way in making it an f(x) standout.

Hooks	8
Production	9
Longevity	10
Bias	9
RATING	9

~ Rest in peace, Sulli. We will forever be grateful for the incredible music and spirit you left behind ~

4 thoughts on “K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Electric Shock”

I had heard (where? when?) that this song was among the first wave of viral hits for kpop, like it was a minor hit in Germany and / or such. I can’t find that info now, but it sound possible.

This is what a sticky hook sounds like. You hear the song once, you know how it goes. The second listen you are up on the dance floor jumping side to side e e e e e lectric shock. La la la laser laser.

Its right in the middle of their string of releases that sound so quintessential f(x), that electronic cool swagger with solid vocals. We often go on and on this blog about “who is such and such group”, and here we are some three years into f(x)’s career and it sounds so f(x) with another fresh song. This is what a vision for a group carried through the years sounds like, and it will still carry through for another 2 or 3 years through Red Light and Four Walls before SM tossed them aside.

I hadn’t start to rank my favorite f(x) until, well, ten minutes ago, and Electric Shock is maybe about 4 or 5, thereabouts.

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Ann says:

October 28, 2020 at 4:44 pm

Which ones are your favorites?

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I Love Electric Shock so goddamn much!
That beat hits my head in such a satisfying way , It takes use of F(x)’s Energy and blasts it into a taut 3minutes and 18 seconds.

Also , But I felt like It would have been better If SM Gave F(x) a SHINee-esque single run , a lot of their b sides sound like something SHINee would make , ngl.

I mean , I care about Individuality and all that stuff but how can you miss the similarities. F(x) and SHINee have the same level of charisma , energy and the same quality of their performances. They have this one awesome rapper (Amber and Minho). And Their vocals are mighty (their vocal blend is even mightier) Their songs are shouty , loud , and requires a level of energy to be performed at and F(x) and SHINee are by far the only groups , I see who can match that level of energy.

Just my opinion.

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