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’m still in a haze over the magic that producers Sweetune made with NINE.i on title track Turn It Off. I’ve actually had trouble falling asleep the past few nights because its melodies have been lodged so thoroughly in my head! But even without that song, the rest of their new mini album is very strong. I could probably write an entire post about Hurt‘s excellent chorus, but I’ve opted to go with the album’s most upbeat, bombastic b-side.
Power Up is an assault on the senses — a bubblegum burst of pop/rock force. It’s like early Astro and early Golcha were thrown in a blender with NINE.i’s unique vocal textures and One Direction’s 2011-era pop hooks. It’s pure cheese, but in a style we don’t hear much anymore. I mean, just listen to that silly exclamation at the end of each chorus.
Speaking of choruses, Power Up does not skimp in this department. Its hook slams into the mix as if the producers are chucking a handful of Skittles in your face. Its relentless optimism and unabashed cheerfulness won’t be for everyone, but those qualities are just what I look for when it comes to the niche category of bright boy group K-pop.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 9 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
This one’s so good, it could have been a single too.
Regarding Hurt, it’s actually the verses (the melody, the instrumental ornamentation) that really grabs me. I felt letdown by the chorus, like somehow the unusual verses deserved something equally unusual. Or maybe it’s that the instrumentation doesn’t change enough. Can’t put my finger on it, but something’s not working for me. (But with time, who knows…)
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It is times like these when I wonder who are these people and where did they come from? Whoever did the song picking and styling this time around has been spot on. Hybe level of finesse. If this album doesn’t get these boys a following, I don’t know what else could.
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If you like surprises, group members Vahn and Joohyoung worked fully on this song!
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Absolutely loved Power Up! This whole mini album continues to show just how talented of a group they are.
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That’s it then. This is my song of the summer.
As soon as the review started mentioning Astro, Golcha, or One Direction nostalgia I was on BOARD. Some of my favourite songs of all time come from those groups. And the comparisons are extremely spot-on, too. This song as a whole could’ve been a little brother to Genie (Golden Child). The ‘whoa-oh-oh’ part reminds me strongly of Live While We’re Young (One Direction). The introduction instrumental feels immensely nostalgic (maybe reminds me of a Carly Rae Jepsen song?).
All this is a good thing, in my opinion – this is the pop sound I grew up on, the sound I sorely miss in the more laidback and aloof music trends of recent years.
Suffice to say, I absolutely love this and have already had many a sing- and danceparty to it at home.
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This song highkey reminds me of Tempest’s Can’t Stop Shining! So good
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