There’s some irony in calling a song “The New Era,” but crafting it to sound like every other song from the last era. I’ve had my issues with GOT7’s Korean discography of late, but their Japanese releases are really just on another level. Sales-wise, they seem to be successful, but I can’t wrap my brain around this obnoxious sound the group continues to peddle.
The New Era is GOT7’s second j-pop single without the overworked Jackson, though it feels tailored to his hyped-up style of rapping. The song opens with a deafening mix of percussion and abrasive synths, leading into an atonal verse that largely consists of the group shouting at us with no real structure or purpose beyond getting “lit.” The chorus fares a little better, as we get a (very) brief injection of melody. Unfortunately, this is framed by two of the song’s most annoying spoken refrains (“I like it” and “Baby, what you waiting for” — repeated ad nauseum).
Sometimes I feel as if I’m constantly leveling harsh critiques in GOT7’s direction, and if they hadn’t impressed me so much during their first two years of debut I might be a bit more forgiving. But, I honestly don’t understand what they’re trying to accomplish with this Japanese material — at least musically. There’s no finesse or creativity, just a barrage of noise seemingly designed to beat the listener into submission. It’s relentless in the worst way possible, and a total waste of their talents and charisma.
| Hooks | 5 |
| Production | 5 |
| Longevity | 5 |
| Bias | 5 |
| RATING | 5 |
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The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Between both GOT7 and Twice’s JPN releases, it’s amazing how far a cry the music JYPE is putting out is from the musical peaks of 2PM’s days of Japanese domination. “Take Off” was one of the songs that initially turned me on to kpop and 2PM (through it being the ending theme to an anime named Blue Exorcist) and it still remains one of my all-time favorite JPN releases by any Korean group. It’s baffling to observe how that song and songs like The New Era were both released by the same company.
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I was thinking about 2PM’s Japanese material as I was listening to this, and wondering just how awesome GOT7 could sound on a song like Take Off or Beautiful.
I’m really not sure what’s going on with JYP x Japan, but like you pointed out it’s affecting both GOT7 and Twice.
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The writer of this article can go fuck themselves. It’s a great track.
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Real mature.
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Unlike your opinion
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Why are you reading music reviews with this sort of attitude? It’s good that you enjoy it but it’s really not a great track especially when you listen to it in comparison to their Korean material. JYPE is not releasing particularly musically interesting material in Japan and it’d be nice if they addressed it although their sales show they probably don’t have to.
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Because I completely disagree with what he wrote. He doesn’t think it’s a good enough song for his taste. But I think the song is great. Listen not to the critics who put their own dreams on the shelf. Lyrics from another great song by Garth Brooks.
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I agree that their Japanese releases aren’t that good… I hope that they showcase more of their vocals (which I think they do try to incorporate it more recently, since “my swagger”(I mean if you compare it to their Jap debut which was majority rap))
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