When GOT7’s comeback was released in March, I wasn’t so thrilled with it. Fly has since grown on me, though I still think it’s one of their weaker title tracks. As indicated by the brief sample we were given, follow-up single Home Run seemed to promise something bouncier and more upbeat. The song has actually been rattling around my iphone for awhile now, though I waited to review it because I assumed it would be getting a music video. Unfortunately, it seems that this is a digital release without visual or cinematic promotion. That’s a shame, because it would have served as a strong follow-up in the group’s Flight Log campaign.

Sonically, Home Run shares some attributes with their incredible 2014 single, A. Its bright, retro synths give the song a similar groove, though its beat isn’t as addictive. In fact, it’s not until the first chorus that Home Run really stands out. The initial bridge, which drops the percussion in favor of a bed of electronics, kills some of the momentum. Luckily, it’s the only misstep in the song’s construction, and it’s a minor one. Once the hook hits, with its easy refrain and sunny instrumentation, Home Run is really swinging. The melody isn’t all that more complex than Fly‘s, but it packs ten times the punch.

But somehow, the song still feels slight compared to GOT7’s best work. Though it’s undeniably catchy, Home Run doesn’t have the sheer multitude of hooks that it needs to really stand out. Part of that is most likely due to the fact that the group has shifted back towards a more hip hop sound this time around. This limits the verses’ ability to be truly memorable, as it feels like they could have been interchanged with many of the tracks on the album. Luckily, that chorus compensates nicely and sets GOT7 back on a promising flight path.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7ZoiayVlyg