I was not a big fan of Hello Venus’s previous collaboration with Devine Channel back in May, but Paradise promised something more uptempo and summery. July hasn’t seen a ton of great summer girl group tracks yet, so I prepared myself for something fantastic.

I should know by now not to set expectations high without teasers and songwriting credits to back it up. Paradise is upbeat, yes, but it’s also a bore. The song has a slight doo-wop sound, though it’s more of an influence than a major facet. The brass-kissed beat is start-and-go from the beginning, never settling on much of a groove. Melodically, the song has the same problem. There’s a melody here, yes, but it never amounts to anything. Instead, the hooks evaporate immediately after making their mark, resulting in a song that’s actually challenging to recall once it’s over. It’s not that there aren’t catchy parts. The hook that opens the track and repeats later is its saving grace. I also like the vaguely tropical undertone in the bridges. Everything else is really just a series of coos and come-ons that lack any staying power.

The worst offender happens in the middle eight, where the music and vocals slow to a crawl for a moment as if the girls are about to fall asleep. Unfortunately, the listener may be tempted to do the same. It’s hard to hate Paradise, but that’s not necessarily a compliment when it’s equally as difficult to feel anything about the song. I wish the girls would find a new collaborator or go back to Brave Brothers, because they’re slowly losing me.