Kiss Of Life have rapidly established themselves as certainly one of Okay-pop’s buzziest rookie acts. April’s Midas Contact expertly mined the present Y2K development to craft a catchy showcase that gave the group their very own sonic calling card. New summer time single Sticky feels extra intently attuned to the laidback, Afrobeats-inspired sound presently sweeping international charts. I’ve had my doubts about how effectively a subdued model matches Okay-pop’s traditionally maximalist charms, however Sticky works simply fantastic.

The summer time season actually buoys Sticky‘s prospects. The melodies right here aren’t adventurous, however the sweltering environment and humid texture present a becoming soundtrack for these hotter months. With materials like this, tone and mix are crucial. The music neatly layers the group’s vocals to create a strong sound for its refrain. I really like the reverb on this manufacturing, inflicting an nearly cavernous echo that fills Sticky‘s minimalist house.

It’s additionally good to listen to a Okay-pop lady group absolutely sing throughout a music’s verses. Sticky could focus extra on runs and riffing than tightly-structure pop melodies, however the ladies pull it off to dazzling impact. This isn’t essentially the type of music that compels by the power of its ambition or breadth of its concepts, however it succeeds by turning into a musical setting of kinds — a tonal backdrop that works effectively as a palette cleanser between greater moments.

Grade: B