A K-pop group’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve.
The Boyz’s Japanese releases are a little confusing because the vast majority of them are performed in Korean. But it’s not like I’m fluent (or even conversational!) in either language, so I guess it doesn’t matter much. The group released their first full J-pop album this week, preceded by title track Breaking Dawn. I enjoyed that song more than most seemed to, but the guys missed a big opportunity by not picking album-opener Prism for promotions.
This song is excellent, and exactly the energy, style and panache I’d hope to hear from The Boyz. Prism stuns right out of the gate, introducing itself with dramatic flourishes of electric guitar and percussion as the throbbing beat begins to pull into form. This climaxes in the track’s oft-repeated command of “elevate.” The word cuts like a knife, clearing the way for the bass to kick in and the serpentine verse to slink its way forward. This is SHINee-level good, and I don’t say that lightly.
From here, Prism brings back the guitar before dropping into its airy chorus. This is an extremely stylish sound, light on its feet but anchored by thundering electronics. I love how the second verse incorporates rap in a different way than we’ve become used to. I wish more idol rappers would experiment with their flow and delivery. The hushed performance feels evocative and atmospheric and matches the tone of the track perfectly.
As if this wasn’t enough, Prism builds toward a layered power note, releasing the tension the song has built so expertly up to that point. As The Boyz embark on next month’s Kingdom, I hope they’ll be bringing some of this flair with them.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 10 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 9.25 |
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The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Oh, I do so love this song. When we (meaning I) go on about wanting to hear new ideas and new concepts, this is the kind of song we (meaning I) crave. Its weird but not too weird. Its unique but still fits within a contemporary pop sound. Its retro while being utterly modern. It sounds like kpop, but it also sounds like some cool chic Miami beach poolside bar sound.
Well done, Boyz. The Boyz. Da Boyz. Another group who could have used a better name – you have to type in “Boyz kpop” in itunes to get to them and not a Cpop group called The Boy’z.
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This song is just so …cool. Charisma everywhere. The production is amazing, so solid but with a ton of variety – title track material. I don’t prefer airy vocals or hushed raps, but it works with the vibe here. I don’t know if I’ll play this often myself but I admire this song.
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Love-love-love this song! (Why was Breaking Dawn the title track?)
I hate to say this, but the official lyric is “L-O-V-E” not “elevate”…I just can’t make myself hear it, though.
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Wow…. really?!? Another missed opportunity, then. It so clearly sounds like “elevate” to me that I didn’t even bother to look it up!
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No way! It will forever be elevate to me. to be honest elevate kinda goes with dance music, its a word you except to hear.
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This song is really awesome and something I want The Boyz to come back with, they are the type of show stopping group which can pull off the most grandiose of songs but choose not to.
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I really can’t wait for Kingdom!
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That chorus gets better everytime I hear it!
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Nick, will you include this for you Top K-pop B-side rank for 2021?
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Yes, J-pop b-sides from K-pop acts count (given my increasingly convoluted rules! haha)
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what do u think of the other bsides? kiss me if you can seems to be a fan favorite but prism and hush definitely take the cake for me 😮
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