A K-pop act’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.
I get why fromis_9 would want to stick with a proven formula for their title tracks (and their increasing sales bear this out), but there are several songs on their new album that would have made for more exciting promotions. Attitude is chief among these, representing an evolution in their sound while hearkening back to highlights of K-pop’s past.
There’s a huge hole in the K-pop market for this kind of sleek, girl group dance pop. Attitude does something different than your NewJeans and LE SSERAFIMs, and it’s far from the kind of chanty ‘girl crush’ favored by so many of fromis_9’s peers. If I were to compare it to anything, I’d go all the way back to SNSD’s inventive Japanese work. I could imagine Attitude sitting comfortably on their 2011 self-titled J-pop album.
Attitude harnesses fromis_9’s vocals in a delightful way, giving them a comfortable pitch but modulating the arrangement in a way that keeps the song morphing and expanding. The chorus swerves in exciting directions, pulsing with a stylish texture you could get lost in. The production follows suit, deliberately off-kilter but always forward-moving. It’s like nothing else in fromis_9’s arsenal, and I hope many listeners get to hear it.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.75 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I like this one, but I thought you’d write about Dont care (maybe because it’s my favourite one). But either way, the album is great 👍
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the production on ‘prom night’ is crazy good, also a really solid album as a whole
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Definitely my fav on album. It’s under same categorization as IVE Blueblood, GWSN I can’t breathe, or WJSN Easy. Have a playlist simply called “expensive”. Basically high class, dark, expensive catwalk vibes
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can u pls share this playlist?
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Slightly off-topic, but what do you think of BTS’s new special single “Take Two”?
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I don’t know if this makes sense, but it’s a song more IVE than IVE. Or instead if IVE and Le Sserafim’s sounds had a baby, it’d be Attitude.
Totally sleek, clean, beautiful, exciting, showstopping, enjoyable, inventive, fresh, beautiful!
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YASSSSSSS!
I heard this in the highlight reel and just *KNEW* it would be a favorite right away and the full song didn’t disappoint one bit. Getting a performance of it during the showcase as well? Everything!!
I really think this album is a beautiful statement of Fromis’s evolution and growth having been a group so long. I hope the whole album does well for them but if nothing else it’s a solid release and probably one of the best ones for Kpop this year so far.
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This album is so good. You honestly could’ve thrown a dart at the track list for the buried treasure. This song is one of my favorites on here. Its so good.
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Bts song review?
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The album flows very nicely, very listenable on repeat. There are little differences between the songs but if you are doing something else while listening (as we all are), they just float along.
I have a few other artists who I can do this with. Clannad especially, going all moody in their original Gaelic, the band who created and defined that celtic new age atmospheric music genre. (Clannad are also know as Enya’s siblings + uncles, fun fact they are all related.) When I just need that mood, I put it all on repeat and immediately tune out the world. Oh its something to believe in …
If this fromis9 album does that for you, great.
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i still haven’t picked a favorite track cause the entire album is great but attitude is a strong contender. the shoujo jidai comparisons are very apt, but i also think it’s just a more mature 22century girl. i really hope they’re seeing how well people are receiving this song and consider trying out something like this for their title track next time.
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I loveeee this album its been on repeat since release, so solid and cohesive all the way through and I love this sleek sophisticated sound on them! Attitude is also my pick for my favourite B-side (I’m so glad they’re promoting it and it’s getting the attention it deserves!), but I also love Don’t Care, Prom Night, In The Mirror, and What I Want. Curious which other B-sides you were considering for Buried Treasure Nick?
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Such an amazing album. Attitude’s my pick as well!
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From the weird sound at the start, I thought I would hate this but damn this is great.
I like the jarring but smooth sound this song has
8.5 for me
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YES!!!! My favorite from the album, this song is just outstanding. I saw another comment mention After School and if I had to pick a song it reminds me of, it’d be Love Beat (that sort of otherworldly electronic soundscape).
I really love the adlibbing (courtesy of Jiwon and Hayoung as usual) in the second half of the song too. Really adds to the already incredible vocal and electronic layering.
Also, I am so so so glad they didn’t do an antidrop chorus. When I was listening to it for the first time, I was afraid the chorus wouldn’t live up to the prechorus (traumatized by many other Kpop releases…) but it delivered and I’m so glad.
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Reminds me of THE BOYZ Prism, therefore I love this so much
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Attitude is such a chic song especially paired with the choreo and stage presence the ladies add to it.
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