SM Entertainment’s EDM division has always felt like a pet project, often forgotten and rarely promoted well. We’ll get a Hitchhiker track here, a BeatBurger track there, and none seem to stick in the public consciousness for long. To tell you the truth, I’m really only drawn to these kinds of releases when a known vocalist is attached. SM likely understands this, enlisting WayV’s YangYang to guest on DJ/producer Imlay’s Asteroid. In a way, the song could be seen as YangYang’s first solo release. But in reality, it’s much more of an instrumental showcase.

This isn’t to discount YangYang’s performance. While he might not bring much personality to the track, he holds his own against an instrumental that is constantly seeking to take center stage. His segments are largely relegated to the verses, which pulse with the kind of steadily-building melody designed to set up the expected EDM drop. There’s a lot going on during these moments, but I wish Asteroid had a more upbeat arrangement. This is a moody electronic banger rather than a club track, and I’ve always struggled to connect with this style unless it’s supported by a dynamic chorus or electrifying guest vocal.

On the other hand, I appreciate Asteroid’s straightforward, stick-to-its-guns approach. Rather than shoehorn in unnecessarily trendy flourishes, the track is content to be a good old fashioned EDM showcase. It feels as if it could have been comfortably released a decade ago, and that sense of timelessness is kind of appealing. Unfortunately, I don’t think it would have been much of a standout back then, either. Fans of the genre will likely find much to love within Asteroid‘s synth-splashed tones. For the rest of us, I suspect results will vary depending on the mood.

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